What did Leopold II do to the Congo?
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.
What did the actions of Leopold II come to symbolize?
What did the actions of Leopold II come to symbolize? The brutality and worst aspects of European imperialism in Africa.
What is a French rooster worth?
20 Francs French Gold Rooster (Random) Melt Value The melt value of one 20 Francs French Gold Rooster (Random) coin is $347.90 based on the current gold spot price.
Why did Leopold II want to personally control an entire country in Africa?
King Leopold II was the ruler of the Congo Free State, and the King of Belgium. He was interested in the Congo river basin because there were many natural resources such as rubber, minerals, ivory, diamonds, and gold.
How was Leopold related to Prince Albert?
Was he really Prince Albert’s father? In Victoria’s second season it was revealed that King Leopold might, in fact, have been Prince Albert’s biological father—the product of a hidden liaison between Leopold and his sister-in-law; Albert’s mother, Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.
Why is the memory of the king of Belgium Leopold II vivid?
The memory of the King of Belgium Leopold II is vivid because he was the monarch that colonized Congo in 1876 by hiring the famous explorer Henry Morton Stanley to do so. King Leopold II has his portrait on the obverse of the Belgian 20 Francs gold coins facing right, being surrounded by the words “Roi des Belges”.
Where is King Leopold II’s portrait on the Belgian 20 francs coin?
King Leopold II has his portrait on the obverse of the Belgian 20 Francs gold coins facing right, being surrounded by the words “Roi des Belges”. Also at the bottom it is written the year “1870”.
Why was King Leopold II called the Builder King?
He is sometimes remembered as the Builder King due to the many buildings commissioned in Brussels, Ostend and Antwerp under his reign. The memory of the King of Belgium Leopold II is vivid because he was the monarch that colonized Congo in 1876 by hiring the famous explorer Henry Morton Stanley to do so.