9. The Congo Free State Atrocities (1885-1908)
Between 1885 and 1908, King Leopold II’s personal rule over the Congo Free State led to the deaths of millions through forced labor, famine, and violence. The demand for rubber resulted in brutal exploitation, including hostage-taking, mutilation, and mass executions. Estimates of the death toll vary, with some suggesting a reduction of the population by half during this period. The sheer cruelty of these actions stands out among colonial abuses. For more details, see BBC.
