10. The Belgian Invasion of the Congo (1885-1908)
King Leopold II’s personal rule over the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908 was marked by extreme exploitation and brutality. The indigenous population was subjected to forced labor, particularly in the rubber industry, leading to widespread abuse and atrocities. Punishments for failing to meet quotas included mutilation, such as the amputation of hands. Estimates suggest that the population declined by up to 10 million people during this period. The Belgian state assumed control in 1908, but the legacy of exploitation and depopulation continued to affect the Congo’s development for decades (en.wikipedia.org).
