Belgian rule and administration of the Congo Free State under Leopold II (1885–1908)

1. Berlin Conference framework enables Leopold’s Congo claim

   Feb 26, 1885Labels: Berlin Conference, Leopold II

   • German Archives
   • Britannica

2. Land decree defines “vacant” lands as state property

   Jul 1, 1885Labels: Land Decree, Congo State

   • US Hist
   • US Hist

3. Leopold formally establishes the Congo Free State

   Aug 1, 1885Labels: Congo Free, Leopold II

   • CFS Overview
   • Berlin Act

4. Force Publique created to enforce state authority

   Nov 17, 1885Labels: Force Publique, Colonial army

   • Force Publique
   • Force Publique

5. Brussels Anti-Slavery Conference strengthens imperial policing powers

   Jul 2, 1890Labels: Brussels Conference, Anti-Slavery

   • Brussels Conf
   • Brussels Act

6. Secret 1891 decree reserves rubber and ivory to the state

   Sep 21, 1891Labels: 1891 Decree, Rubber policy

   • US Hist
   • CFS Overview

7. Congo–Arab War expands Free State control eastward

   Jan 1, 1892Labels: Congo Arab, Eastern Congo

   • Congo Arab War
   • CFS Overview

8. Domaine de la Couronne created to channel profits to Leopold

   Jan 1, 1893Labels: Domaine de, Crown Domain

   • CFS Overview
   • US Hist

9. Charles Stokes executed, triggering an international scandal

   Jan 15, 1895Labels: Charles Stokes, Diplomatic crisis

   • Stokes Affair
   • US Hist

10. Rubber boom intensifies forced labor and violence

    Jan 1, 1896Labels: Rubber Boom, Concession companies

    • CFS Overview
    • US Hist

11. Casement Report documents systematic abuses in the Congo

    Jan 1, 1904Labels: Casement Report, Roger Casement

    • Casement Rep
    • UK Parl Hist

12. Congo Reform Association launches international pressure campaign

    Mar 1, 1904Labels: Congo Reform, E D

    • CRA
    • Casement Rep

13. Belgium annexes the Congo, ending Leopold’s personal rule

    Nov 15, 1908Labels: Belgian Annexation, Colonial Charter

    • Colonial Charter
    • Leopold II