Belgian King Leopold II one of the most brutal dictators in history #history

Belgian King Leopold II, regarded the Congo as his personal possession in the late 19th century and ruthlessly exploited the region. Leopold's governance in Congo marked a period of cruelty towards the local population. This era, known as the Congo Free State, was characterized by forced labor, rubber harvesting pressures, and harsh living conditions. The management under Leopold faced international criticism, leading to eventual takeover by the Belgian government. This period, significant in Congo's history, associates Leopold with genocide and colonialism.