Small Country, Little People… Little Pas PlusOn April 9, 1835, a king was born. Léopold Louis Philippe Marie Victor was the son of Léopold I of Belgium and Louise d'Orléans. As a young prince, his parents considered Leopold II a weakling who was not fit for this world and often preferred his younger brother and sister. His parents rarely spoke to him and instead sent correspondence through their royal secretaries. If Leopold II wanted to speak with his father, he would have to request an audience. Leopold II learned that to overcome this feeling of being unwanted, he would have to gain the favor of many people. Court officials were certainly eager to befriend the future king. They told him about the government, showed him maps, and gave him information about the world. Leopold II visited many colonies of other empires. He became obsessed with the idea of ​​having colonies and a larger kingdom to rule once he became king. He sought to acquire or purchase many territories, but was unsuccessful. Leopold II finally turned his attention to the African continent, about 80 percent of which was still under indigenous rule. He had finally found his land to conquer. Leopold carried out extensive research on the continent and followed news of white explorers across the region. When he discovers that an explorer is short of funds, he quickly offers to contribute to the cause. He found some explorers who had brought back news of Africa and its current state at a time when Arab slave traders were seen leading caravans of captives to be sold into the slave trade. This news moved many Europeans who sought to abolish the slave trade. Leopold saw it as a way to enter Africa by creating false organizations...... middle of paper ...... and establishing an imperial regime in the Congo. The Force Publique was Leopold's ruling army. They were to supervise the work of the now colonized people of the Congo. Another of Leopold's goals was to profit from his acquired colony. With the Public Force, he would force the Congolese to harvest the ivory on site. Those who refused had their elders, wives and children held hostage until they obeyed. Leopold's International African Association was to be a humanitarian project that would help end slavery. However, by forcing people to work for him, he was enslaving those he supposedly sought to help. When the popularity of the bicycle increased in the late 19th century, manufacturers needed rubber for their tires. Leopold saw this as an opportunity to enrich himself further and quickly asked the Force Publique to force people to harvest rubber...