Subject

Leopold II's real purpose behind his acquisition of the Congo became clear as the pioneers carried out the King's wishes, particularly in the collection of the "black gold", the rubber necessary for the burgeoning industry of tyre manufacturing for bicycles and cars. For a period of time the Congo was the sole source of this rubber and Leopold was determined to maximise the profits of his position. While the King presented the white conquest as a benevolent act, bringing civilization to the Congo, Joseph Conrad, in "Heart of Darkness", describes it as "robbery with violence" and "aggravated murder on a grand scale".

The scale of the atrocities in the Congo has been likened to that in the black slave trade and the Jewish holocaust. And yet there is little public recognition of this in Belgium. No king has ever apologised and many records are still kept secret.