The first European efforts to develop the Congo River basin were led by King Leopold II (Leopold II). Leopold II became King of Belgium in 1865 and ruled until his death in 1909. Although he never visited the Congo, he had the supreme authority and issued decrees from Belgium. He posed as a humanitarian and pretended to want to contribute to bettering society. However, this was an act needed to further his efforts to develop the Congo River basin. He began by taking over the ivory trade. He forced the native people into slavery. Additionally, they were treated horribly and were killed if they attempted to break free. Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness depicts the terrible conditions of the Congo. Conrad “gives a searing picture of the brutal and voracious European quest for Congo ivory” (Leopold II). The Congolese people suffered from the deplorable conditions while Leopold II gained immense wealth from the ivory trade. According to Bob Frost in his article “Leopold II of Belgium,” he says, “Leopold was fully aware of what was going on in his private freedom, but he apparently viewed mass murder as the cost of glory” (87). Despite never stepping foot in the Congo, he was aware of the deaths that occurred from his greed. He knew that his actions were causing many people to die and continued to participate in the ivory trade for his personal gain. By Conrad bringing awareness to the poor treatment and conditions of the Congolese people, people can learn from the mistakes of the past and prevent future leaders from committing the same devastating situations.

 Works Cited 

Frost, Bob. “Leopold II of Belgium.” Biography, vol. 5, no. 5, May 2001, p. 84. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=4375936&site=ehost-live.

"Leopold II." Britannica Academic, Encyclopædia Britannica, 9 Jun. 2020. academic-eb-com.thielcollege.idm.oclc.org/levels/collegiate/article/Leopold-II/47845.