Congo Free State

     Before it was known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that area was known as the Congo Free State during the time period of 1885 to 1908. This piece of land in Central Africa was owned by Belgium and controlled by King Leopold II, who reigned for 44 years. King Leopold was awarded this territory during the Conference of Berlin in 1885. The Congo Free State became infamous across the globe for the cruel treatment of the local citizens and the pillaging of the natural resources available, such as Ivory and Rubber. Although King Leopold's objective for occupying this land was to raise it to a high standard in terms of it's people and abundance of resources, he ended up ruining them altogether. The Congo Free State even became an international scandal of sorts because of King Leopold's failed efforts and after a source reported that white Belgian officials were guilty of killing hundreds of Congolese people (They were later held responsible for their actions and were punished). 

     As Rubber was very abundant and one of the most important exports of the Congo Free State, it took lots of labor from many of the native Congolese people to make it a successful business. This brutal labor often went unrecognized despite it's importance, quotas were near impossible to make, and pay was painfully low. If the workers did not make the quotas, they could be put to death or even worse, being mutilated by having their arms or hands chopped off. Living as a rubber worker in the Congo Free State was almost an unfortunate given, but it was not an ideal lifestyle. Countries and nations everywhere were disgusted by the atrocities that occurred, therefore leading to worldwide disdain.