Question

question 3 of 10
which statement best summarizes the colonial system belgium created in the congo free state?
a. belgians offered natives political equality, only if they gave up their traditional beliefs.
b. belgians helped improve local economies but stripped natives of their political rights.
c. belgians encouraged mass immigration from europe to force natives from their lands.
d. belgians relied on threats and brutal violence to force natives to work on rubber plantations.

Explanation:

The Belgian colonial system in the Congo Free State was marked by extreme exploitation. The Belgians used brutal methods, such as threats and violence, to force Congolese natives to work on rubber plantations. This led to a huge loss of life and suffering among the native population. Option A is incorrect as there was no offer of political equality. Option B is wrong because there was no real improvement of local economies in a positive sense for the natives. Option C is not the main characteristic of the Belgian colonial system in the Congo Free State compared to the brutal labor - extraction methods.

Answer:

D. Belgians relied on threats and brutal violence to force natives to work on rubber plantations.