Question

which statement best describes the belgian colony in the congo under king leopold ii?
o a. congolese citizens were largely independent as long as they provided belgium with rubber.
o b. congolese leaders maintained their power by encouraging rebellions against colonial rule.
o c. belgium used intimidation and violence to establish a forced - labor system in the colony.
o d. belgian leaders worked with congolese officials to promote economic growth in the colony.

Explanation:

Under King Leopold II, Belgium's rule in the Congo was marked by extreme exploitation. The Congo Free State (as it was known) used brutal methods like intimidation and violence to force Congolese people into labor, especially for rubber extraction. Congolese were not independent (eliminating A). Congolese leaders did not encourage rebellions to maintain power (eliminating B). There was no real - cooperation for economic growth in a mutually - beneficial sense (eliminating D). The forced - labor system with its associated violence is a well - documented aspect of Belgian colonial rule in the Congo under Leopold II.

Answer:

C. Belgium used intimidation and violence to establish a forced - labor system in the colony.