What happened in the Congo with King Leopold and Belgium?
On February 5, 1885, Belgian King Leopold II established the Congo Free State by brutally seizing the African landmass as his personal possession. Rather than control the Congo as a colony, as other European powers did throughout Africa, Leopold privately owned the region.
Are Belgians taught about Leopold?
For decades, many Belgians were taught that the country had brought “civilization” to the African region, and some have defended Leopold as a foundational figure. Streets and parks are named after him, and statues of the king can be found throughout the country. Last week, the statue in Antwerp was set on fire.
Why was the Congo given to Belgium?
It was established by the Belgian parliament to replace the previous, privately owned Congo Free State, after international outrage over abuses there brought pressure for supervision and accountability. The official Belgian attitude was paternalism: Africans were to be cared for and trained as if they were children.
Where does the name Leopold come from?
French (Léopold), German, and Dutch: from a Germanic personal name, Luitpold, composed of the elements liut ‘people’ + bald ‘bold’, ‘brave’. The form of the first element has been influenced by Leonard.
Did Britain colonize the Congo?
This way, on 15 November 1908 the Belgian Congo became a colony of the Belgian Kingdom. This was after King Leopold II had given up any hope of excluding a vast region of the Congo from the government’s control by attempting to maintain a substantial part of the Congo Free State as a separate crown property.
How old is the name Leopold?
The name Leopold is most closely associated with German royalty dating back to the 10th century and starting with Leopold I, Margrave of Austria, from the House of Babenberg.
Is Leopold a posh name?
Leopold Origin and Meaning This aristocratic, somewhat formal Germanic route to the popular Leo is a royal name: Queen Victoria used it to honor a favorite uncle, King Leopold of Belgium.