King Leopold II’s life He was born in 1835 in Brussels and died in 1909. He ruled Belgium from 1865 to 1909. Is responsible for the annexation of the Congo free state as the Belgian Congo. Owned the world only private colony independent of a countries authority Upon his death he bequeathed his private colony to the Belgian state.

Leopold as king Primary goal of his reign was to fill coffers of the Belgian state while maintaining its neutrality in various European wars. Jumped at the opportunity to partake in the Berlin Conference where he secured a large swath of territory for his personal use. He hired the explorer Henry Morton Stanley to explore the Congo and sign treaties with the local populous. He used these treaties to justify his harsh reign to other European countries and though a technicality meet the terms of the Berlin conference. He was known as the builder king for the massive amount of public work project completed under his rule and his role in Belgian history remains polarizing.

Geography of the Congo The Congo is an area marked by large swaths of rainforest and rivers These rivers were substantial enough to allow for the passage of steamboats. This area was historically home to a large population of African elephants and other large mammals. The temperate climate was later found to be home to the Landolphia vine, a lucrative source for rubber.

History of the Congo The Congo was originally settled by Bantu migrants from an area near modern day Nigeria in the 7th century c.e. The Bantu people then established the kingdom of Kongo a loosely organized monarchy which lasted until the early 19th century. At that time the area was then taken over by the Portuguese who forcibly dissolved the kingdom in 1914. Several years later king Leopold the second took control of the area then named the Congo free state and created the Belgian Congo. The Belgian Congo existed until 1960 when Belgium granted the area its freedom.

The Congo under Leopold King Leopold infamously swindled and conned the natives out of their land. He also took advantage of their illiteracy and his technological superiority to maintain control through violence and one sided contracts. While growing and harvesting rubber soldiers of Leopold would cut off the hands of those who did not meet their production quota This was kept hidden due to Leopold's complete authority over the area without any government regulation.

Ivory trade in history Historically the peoples of the Congo basin hunted elephants to carve small statues and beads from the Ivory in their tusks. The Portuguese first traded outdated weaponry and spices with the kingdom of Kongo in exchange for raw ivory. By the mid 1800s the ivory trade was used by the Europeans in the as a means to control the African people for profit. Throughout the colonization period of African history it is estimated that around 800 to 1,000 tons of ivory was sent to Europe alone. Once in Europe countries such as Belgium could sell the ivory to artisans who would then create and distribute products such as Christian statues, furniture, and jewelry all over the world.

The ivory trade today Due to a massive swell in demand for ivory, particularly in Asian countries where ground ivory powder is believed to have healing properties, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) banned international ivory trade in 1989 after the population of African elephants declined form 1.3 million to about 600,000 in 10 years. However the ivory trade is still present in todays society even with many countries imposing strict punishments for poachers who are caught. Just this year the Kenyan government seized and burned 105 tons of elephant tusks and 1.35 tons of rhino horn.

Works Cited James, Charlie Hamilton. Burning Ivory. 2016. N.p. King Of Belgium. c1900. Hulton Royals Collection, n.p. Amputation. c1900. Universal Images Group, n.p. Stiles, Daniel. "Ivory Trade in the Congo Basin." Academia.edu - Share Research. N.p., Dec. 2011. Web. 12 Feb. 2017. Hochschild, Adam. "Leopold II." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 11 Feb. 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2017. The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Belgian Congo." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 13 Nov. 2009. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.