King Leopold II and the Congo: One of History's Darkest Colonial Empires

Behind the promise of civilization and progress lay one of the most brutal regimes of the colonial era. Under the rule of King Leopold II, the Congo Free State became the site of widespread exploitation, violence, and unimaginable suffering. In this episode, we examine how Belgium's king gained control of the region, the atrocities committed in pursuit of wealth, and the international outrage that eventually exposed the horrors taking place. Discover the tragic history of one of the darkest chapters in Africa's colonial past.