Introduction
In the history of Belgium, Leopold was the second king who is best remembered for his role in exploiting the Free State of Congo. He was born in Brussels and in 1865, he rose to the throne after succeeding his father. He went on to rule for 44 years, longer than any other Belgian monarch. During his time, Leopold was the sole owner and the founder of the Congo Free State. He privately undertook this project. Helped by Henry Morton Stanley (explorer), he successfully laid a claim to Congo. In a Berlin Conference held in 1884, European colonial nations recognized his ...