From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium. These atrocities were particularly associated with the labour policies, enforced by colonial administrators, used to collect natural rubber for export. Combined with epidemic disease, famine, mass population displacement, and falling birth rates caused by these disruptions, the atrocities contributed to a sharp decline in the Congolese population.
Belgium annexes the Congo Free State
From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.
Historical Significance
From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.
Events Before
Joe Gans lands a devastating right to the head of Canadian challenger Kid Herman to retain his world lightweight boxing
Joe Gans lands a devastating right to the head of Canadian challenger Kid Herman to retain his world lightweight boxing title with an 8th-round knockout in Tonopah, Nevada
American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser (24) weds Bess Fosburgh in Boston, Massachusetts
American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser (24) weds Bess Fosburgh in Boston, Massachusetts
Author Arthur Conan Doyle (48) weds Jean Elizabeth Leckie
Author Arthur Conan Doyle (48) weds Jean Elizabeth Leckie
Guglielmo Marconi's company begins the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, C
Guglielmo Marconi's company begins the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada and Clifden, Ireland
A run on Knickerbocker Trust Company stock leads to a nationwide run on US banks and the Panic of 1907
A run on Knickerbocker Trust Company stock leads to a nationwide run on US banks and the Panic of 1907
Events After
American Robert Fowler runs the then-world-record marathon (2:52:45.4) at Yonkers, New York
American Robert Fowler runs the then-world-record marathon (2:52:45.4) at Yonkers, New York
Stepan Bandera is born
Stepan Bandera, Greek ukrainian nationalist leader, known for ukrainian nationalist leader, was born on 1909-01-01.
Ernest Shackleton, as part of the British Nimrod Expedition, reaches a record farthest southern latitude of 88°23' south
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (15 February 1874 – 5 January 1922) was an Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic.
Russian military forces invade northern Persia to support Mohammad Ali Shah's coup d'état against the constitutional gov
Russian military forces invade northern Persia to support Mohammad Ali Shah's coup d'état against the constitutional government in Persia and relieve the siege of Tabriz
Mien Wenneker, Dutch prince Henry's lover, weds Uncle Cornelis Abbo
Mien Wenneker, Dutch prince Henry's lover, weds Uncle Cornelis Abbo
More from the 1900s
First Powered Flight by the Wright Brothers
Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
science technology
Conference of 23 industrial trade unionists in Chicago, Illinois, issues the Industrial Union Manifesto, calling for a c
Conference of 23 industrial trade unionists in Chicago, Illinois, issues the Industrial Union Manifesto, calling for a convention in Chicago in June and laying the groundwork for the formation of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
death
James Longstreet dies
James Longstreet, Confederate confederate army general, known for confederate army general, died on 1904-01-02.
1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow
1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 18, 1908?
- From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium. These atrocities were particularly associated with the labour policies, enforced by colonial administrators, used to collect natural rubber for export. Combined with epidemic disease, famine, mass population displacement, and falling birth rates caused by these disruptions, the atrocities contributed to a sharp decline in the Congolese population.
- Why is Belgium annexes the Congo Free State significant?
- From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.