Congo Free State (1885–1908)

1. International African Association formed in Brussels

   Sep 1, 1876Labels: International African, Brussels

   • Britannica

2. International Association of the Congo founded

   Nov 17, 1879Labels: International Association, Leopold II

   • Britannica
   • AIC

3. United States recognizes Leopold’s Congo association

   Apr 22, 1884Labels: United States, International Association

   • Britannica
   • CFS

4. Berlin West Africa Conference opens

   Nov 15, 1884Labels: Berlin Conference, European powers

   • Britannica
   • German FO

5. Leopold II establishes the Congo Free State

   Feb 5, 1885Labels: Leopold II, Congo Free

   • NatGeo Edu
   • Britannica

6. General Act of Berlin Conference signed

   Feb 26, 1885Labels: General Act, Berlin Conference

   • German FO
   • Britannica

7. Force Publique created as colonial armed force

   Nov 17, 1885Labels: Force Publique, Congo Free

   • Force Publique
   • Force Publique

8. Brussels Anti-Slavery Conference convenes

   Nov 18, 1889Labels: Brussels Anti, Belgium

   • Brussels Conf

9. Congo “domain system” asserts state ownership of land

   Jan 1, 1891Labels: Domanial system, Congo Free

   • CFS
   • Atrocities

10. Congo–Arab War begins in eastern Congo

    Jan 1, 1892Labels: Congo Arab, eastern Congo

    • Congo Arab war

11. ABIR rubber concession company established

    Aug 6, 1892Labels: ABIR, rubber concession

    • ABIR
    • Atrocities

12. Congo–Arab War ends with Free State victory

    Jan 1, 1894Labels: Congo Arab, Free State

    • Congo Arab war

13. Casement Report documents abuses in the Free State

    Jan 1, 1904Labels: Casement Report, Roger Casement

    • Casement Report
    • Congo Reform

14. Congo Reform Association founded to campaign for change

    Jan 1, 1904Labels: Congo Reform, E D

    • Congo Reform

15. Belgian Parliament approves annexation (Colonial Charter)

    Oct 18, 1908Labels: Belgian Parliament, Colonial Charter

    • Colonial Charter
    • Belgian Congo

16. Belgium assumes sovereignty; Congo Free State abolished

    Nov 15, 1908Labels: Belgium, Belgian Congo

    • Colonial Charter
    • Britannica