King Leopold II of Belgium denies accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State

Date: 19 Sep 1903
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

King Leopold II of Belgium denies accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State

King Leopold II of Belgium denied accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State (CFS) and warned foreign powers not to interfere in the running of his private country. CFS was a “private project” undertaken by the Leopold II to mine rubber and ivory from his personal colony, exploiting his slaves. Leopold II was responsible for the death of possible millions of Africans.

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How we know this

01Boddy-Evans A.,( 2011), ‘This Day in African History: 19 September’, from African History [online] Available at www.africanhistory.about.com [Accessed 18 September 2013]
02Moreorless.au, (2011)‘King Leopold II’, [online], Available at www.moreorless.au.com [Accessed 18 September 2013]
03 South African History Online,‘Republic of Congo’, [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed 18 September 2013]
04Religious Tolerance, 2005. ‘The Congo Free State Genocide’, [online], Available at www.religioustolerance.org [Accessed: 18 September 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, September 14). King Leopold II of Belgium denies accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068180

South African History Online (2011) 'King Leopold II of Belgium denies accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State', South African History Online, 14 September. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068180 (Accessed: 27 July 2026).

South African History Online, King Leopold II of Belgium denies accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068180, (accessed 27 July 2026).

"King Leopold II of Belgium denies accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State." South African History Online, 14 Sept. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068180. Accessed 27 July 2026.

South African History Online. "King Leopold II of Belgium denies accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State." South African History Online. September 14, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068180.