Belgian Congo was a colony of Belgium from 1908 until 1960. Prior to that, the region had been the Congo Free State (created in 1885), which was effectively a private enterprise of King Leopold II. Often referred to as Belgian Congo even before 1908, Leopold never visited his colony but allowed unspeakable horrors to be carried out there to squeeze the maximum profit from plantations and mines. The 20th century saw some of the more inhumane practices abolished, but the region remained one of the most divided and exploited in Africa. In 1960, the colony gained independence and was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo (but known as Zaire between 1965 and 1997).
More about: Belgian CongoDefinition
Timeline
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1885 - 1908The Congo Free State is run as a private enterprise by Leopold II, King of the Belgians.
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1890The Belgian government agrees a loan to prop up the failing Congo Free State.
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1891The Congo Free State takes over the Katanga region.
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1895The Belgian government agrees a second loan to prop up the failing Congo Free State.
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1901The Congo Free State produces 10% of the world's rubber.
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1908 - 1960Existence of the Belgian Congo colony in Central Africa.
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1915Uranium is discovered in Belgian Congo.
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30 Jun 1960The Belgian Congo is declared independent and adopts the name the Republic of Congo (later changed to the Democratic Republic of Congo).
