Rubber Extraction in the Congo Free State (1885-1908)

1. Force Publique is created to enforce state power

   Jan 1, 1885Labels: Force Publique, Leopold II

   • Force Publique
   • Atrocities

2. Leopold’s land claims enable a resource monopoly

   Jan 1, 1885Labels: Land Claims, Congo Free

   • Congo Free State
   • US Historian

3. Berlin Conference sets Congo Basin rules

   Feb 26, 1885Labels: Berlin Conference, Effective Occupation

   • Britannica
   • German FO

4. Congo Free State becomes Leopold II’s private rule

   Aug 1, 1885Labels: Leopold II, Congo Free

   • German FO
   • Britannica

5. Secret 1891 decree shifts toward forced rubber collection

   Sep 21, 1891Labels: 1891 Decree, State Circulars

   • US Historian
   • Congo Free State

6. Congo–Arab War expands Free State control eastward

   Mar 1, 1892Labels: Congo Arab, Free State

   • Congo Arab War
   • Tippu Tip state

7. ABIR concession company is founded for rubber extraction

   Aug 6, 1892Labels: ABIR, Concession Company

   • AfricaMuseum
   • ABIR

8. Crown Domain created to channel rubber profits to Leopold

   Jan 1, 1893Labels: Crown Domain, Leopold II

   • Congo Free State
   • Britannica 1911

9. Global rubber demand surge intensifies Congo’s extraction

   Jan 1, 1896Labels: Global Demand, Rubber Market

   • Congo Free State
   • Atrocities

10. Concession system peaks and the “red rubber” regime spreads

    Jan 1, 1898Labels: Concession System, Red Rubber

    • Atrocities
    • AfricaMuseum

11. Casement Report documents abuses in rubber collection

    Jan 1, 1904Labels: Casement Report, Roger Casement

    • Casement Report
    • Britannica 1911

12. Congo Reform Association launches international advocacy campaign

    Mar 23, 1904Labels: Congo Reform, Reformers

    • CRA
    • CRA FR

13. Commission of Inquiry report acknowledges major wrongdoing

    Nov 1, 1905Labels: Commission of, Leopold II

    • Notre Dame
    • Hansard

14. Concession system is restricted as rubber yields decline

    Jan 1, 1906Labels: Concession Contraction, ABIR

    • AfricaMuseum
    • Anversoise

15. Belgium annexes the Congo Free State

    Nov 15, 1908Labels: Belgian Annexation, Belgian Parliament

    • Colonial Charter
    • Britannica 1911