History's deadliest king - by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja

Dig into the Rubber Terror, the period in which King Leopold II’s horrific regime in the Congo resulted in the deaths of 10 million people.
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In 1904, Chief Lontulu laid 110 twigs in front of a foreign commission. Every twig represented a person in his village who died because of King Leopold’s brutal regime in the Congo. His testimony joined hundreds of others to help bring an end to one of the greatest atrocities in human history. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja details the horrific abuses of Leopold’s occupation and looting of the Congo.
Lesson by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, directed by Héloïse Dorsan Rachet.
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Animator's website: www.heloisedr.com and / helo.dr
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! LvL042, Abdulmohsin Almadi, Andrew Brodski, John van den Berg, Anandha Krishnan, Geoffrey Bultitude, Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Christopher McVay, Izhari Ishak Aksa, Declan Manning, Javier Aldavaz, Ivan Yeung, Jaime Camacho, Irene Au, Роман Валесюк, LunarQueen, Iza, Brian Elieson, Paul, Grayson Garbarino, Oge O, Weronika Falkowska, Stefano Esposito, Nevin Spoljaric, Yvonne Feijoo, Sid Chanpuriya, Arjay Arcinue Dineros, Anoom Yasmin, Laura Johnson, Anoop Varghese, David Yastremski, Zoë Tulip, B, Jason Harrison, Erica Guerrero, Richard Manklow, Roberto Chena, Oliver Koo, Luke Pisano, Andrea Gordon, Aleksandar Donev, Nicole Klau Ibarra, Milo Vermeulen, Ryan Weiler, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Itay Levi, Zongpu Kou and Cameron Chakraverty.

[@TEDEd]

Content Warning: This video depicts racial violence and trauma.

[@mafia6804]

hello this is Edited But Sure You Guys Needs To watch this Cuz you get A Nice Feeling that if you get Sad Just Always watch our History Then one day get learned how to Stand Yourself

[@roehllinoroan3593]

I commented before you

[@roehllinoroan3593]

Hehe

[@akumaking1]

Not everyone is a snowflake

[@mafia6804]

@@roehllinoroan3593 not so fast I'm first

[@MrGiygas1]

That awkward moment when even other colonial European empires think you’ve gone too far

[@Hello-uk5xp]

Congo was owned by a single men, so its a different story, other colonies were the country’s colony not the king or queen

[@Hello-uk5xp]

@You know Me it’s great, North Korea is the greatest country on earth

[@freebird1721]

@You know Me At least northkorea don't colonize Africa

[@appleslover]

@@Hello-uk5xp the king didn't go there himself and enslave the Congolese, you know

[@facundocadaa9020]

@@appleslover ohh, your right, our bad. Of course if he wasn't present there and just send some people to do his biding, then he should no be accountable... Of course

[@LexDomo]

"Crowd booed his funeral procession" That statement actually made me a little happy.

[@tanyabanerjee2681]

Yesss.

[@thunderbird1921]

Thank Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Mark Twain among others for having the courage to help expose this monstrous abuse (Doyle said something like they were among the worst crimes he had ever heard of being committed on fellow human beings, at least at that time).

[@TomSistermans]

Yet today in Belgium... Leopold has a controversial status, and many people think that he was a good king... not generalising here of course, but I swear, these far right people make me sick...

[@artisan002]

I hit that part and ─ out loud ─ said, "Good!" I'm sitting here by myself, unless we count a pair of cats.

[@KrulKrulSprietSpriet]

@@TomSistermans Even stranger, as a netherlander who was schooled in Belgium, I was often learned stories about this “great” king. How he made Belgium great, brought riches to it and somehow they really pressured on that Belgium was renowned for its chocolate. (All came from Congo..) It really makes you wonder how much else they taught was true.

[@hagaraly3233]

It's scary how much this history isn't really that old...

[@mitchellarcher5083]

I feel like this is an understatement. And many don't grasp the importance in that.

[@user-nv5sn3tb4e]

when thomas jefferson died, harriet tubman was alive. when harriet tubman died, ronald reagan was alive. none of what we think of as “history” is very long ago at all.

[@maxou6829]

Nor taught

[@laurazenebergh1031]

@@maxou6829 We were thought about the cruelties during the colonial period in school, as part of our countries history. As a Belgian I felt disgusted.

[@catsareevil]

@@carkawalakhatulistiwa king leopold II*

[@redstonetheanimecat3390]

The way he named them as "Congo Free State" is so Orwellian.

[@hakimdiwan5101]

Well it was a FREE eSTATE for him.....

[@Hypernefelos]

It didn't belong to any government and so was free of government supervision. That wasn't a _good_ thing, it turns out, but the name was accurate for what it described.

[@chriss780]

its free real estate

[@robertjarman3703]

Free of the Belgian state.

[@chriss780]

@@robertjarman3703 got em

[@ZagrebBundist]

The fact that even the other European powers hated him really tells you something.

[@byzantium0086]

Get over it, Leopold died 113 years ago

[@zardsire2012]

@@byzantium0086 Would you like it if in 100 years since Hitler’s death people say get over it.

[@byzantium0086]

@@zardsire2012 yea get over it, the past is gone and will never return, focus on the future

[@Polska_Edits]

@@byzantium0086 OK, so why are you here? On this history based video?

[@darthplagueis13]

I think they were a bit dissapointed in him. Leopold had previously had a reputation for being a philanthropist and expectations were that he would civilize and develop the congo. Of course, that entails its own horror if you consider how Canada tried to civilize and develop their native tribes or Australia tried to civilize and develop the Aborigenes, but there's still a difference between that and just working the populace to death.

[@wolvw]

It's so crazy to think that humans would do this to each other

[@MoonMillenniummon]

It's not that crazy if you think about it.

[@wolvw]

@@MoonMillenniummon Ok..

[@notsureiL]

Why? Humans are animals, apex predators.

[@wolvw]

@@notsureiL ok cool buddy, how was the hunt today? Get anyone good today?

[@wildlyrebellious]

It's always the money and power that taints humanity.

[@gsawcomic]

“Unpaid labour.” Slaves. You mean slaves.

[@seriousnesstv7902]

They can’t use that word since it’s “offensive”

[@jornzwaagstra1150]

@@seriousnesstv7902 not really they weren't slaves for slavery had been abolished in 1890 due to events in the congo not that this stopped the atrositicies.

[@snowdropps]

The Congolese weren't owned outright. The Belgian soldiers kidnapped their families and threatened to kill them if they didn't deliver rubber. It was forced labor but the Congolese were not bought and sold. They were terrorized, villages were razed, people mutilated but they were colonized not enslaved, technically.

[@seriousnesstv7902]

@@jornzwaagstra1150 I’m not the one you have to tell that to.

[@adityakhokle4739]

Its a white people thing they don't wanna call it slavery because according to them slavery, racial cleansing, racial genocide never happened.

[@Antoinecalligrapher]

In my school, around 10 years ago, I was taught that it was the "Great African Exploration". I didn't care much about it then. It is now that I learnt what it really was.

[@dghfgh155]

Our schools hid the reality and prioritised colonisation. They never said about these atrocities but only showed the so called development that happened to the countries during colonisation

[@goutamboppana961]

@@dghfgh155 they did develop but with *pain*

[@Pat097]

What country are you from?

[@samimas4343]

@@dghfgh155 they developed what was necessary for colonizers to benefit from. E.g. British railroads in India were not for Indians' sake but to sack indians.

[@justascarecrow6988]

@@dghfgh155 In Germany, we are subjected to unending repetition of the Holocaust's horror. Sometimes, history got quite boring, but in the end, we know what was done and will never forget it. Sad to know that no other country has a look back at its horrific history.

[@j.sidneymalone5592]

Western powers: We want you to have democracy Western powers: Wait no not like that

[@rockzilla5150]

You will have our democracy. Do you understand? You have no choice. We are killing you in the name of human rights. You will have our democracy.

[@avocadotoast6369]

At no point were they interested in establishing democratic states.

[@kexek7975]

W

[@avocadotoast6369]

@@nuqwestr Modern day Liberia was founded only after slavery had been outlawed in large parts of the world and was also not colonized by Europe. Its political goals were not the same as with European colonies, but a home for freed slaves managed by freed slaves.

[@zabrak999]

It was called the Cold War, kiddo. You'll learn more about it when you get older

[@blueberrychocolate4238]

The more I learn about the “Scramble for Africa”, the more disgusted I am.

[@eatathepizza4449]

States rise and fall all the time , there is no country free of sin , not even Switzerland or any country for the matter

[@sms1511]

Imagine how we feel having to learn about it in Africa...

[@user-nc6td8ox1t]

@@sms1511 cry about it

[@sms1511]

@@user-nc6td8ox1t Nope, we are taking what they stole back, the reckoning is nigh

[@vivekkukreti1570]

@@eatathepizza4449 what did Switzerland do? It's a landlocked country, it has no Navy , and thus, never actually got a chance to colonize and conquer. Plus , it has no minerals not even iron, how can it even have enough power to attack a single African country??

[@FilmPeak]

My wife chose this as her thesis work. You should also know that the way to instruct the rubber was to let it dry on the skin of the slaves, and then peel it off which was very painful and could (and did) harm the skin wounding it. From the entirety of the people that fought against Leopold's regime I would highly suggest learning more about Edmund Dene (E. D.) Morel, a fantastic and complex hero of humanity. Also, if you have the stomach for it, look up Alice Seeley Harris' photograph.

[@ShailendraSinghChauhanKing]

How to eradicate all this .. humankind is on worse & now Taliban China are another example

[@denisemcdougal6445]

How hateful

[@user-tf6ol3gd5v]

Here in Brazil they did a similar thing but for the building of clay tiles…

[@muhammadalikhan3839]

@@ShailendraSinghChauhanKing poor indian thoughts, can't go beyond China/Taliban/Pakistan

[@DrTubeman]

If you want to know what inhumanity looks like, look at what the hands of King Leopold and his agents were responsible for inflicting...10 million Congolese died as a result of Leopold's utter brutality! Which Alice Harris documented through her photos.

[@STM1066]

Sir Roger casement was later executed by the British for anti-colonial activities in Ireland. He was a man of unwavering principles

[@frenchhornguy3511]

Sounds like he’s worth looking into

[@claudiag.9307]

@@frenchhornguy3511 Definitely. I had the luck to see an exhibit on his work in the museum of Dublin. It was the first time I even heard of the rubber atrocities in Congo and in the Amazon. I've been meaning to learn more about him, but I've found internet sources to be very lacking. Sorry for the rant. If anyone knows any good materials on Roger Casement, I'd like to know very much.

[@Lee-yo5cl]

Which year did he got executed?

[@DT2007]

@@Lee-yo5cl 1916

[@diegotomas2941]

@@claudiag.9307 Please, please, if you can read the book about him, "The Dream of the Celt" written by Nobel Prize laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, give it a shot

[@Nutty...]

Weird title. The way it is written, I thought history's deadliest king was Georges Nzongala.

[@globe3981]

Me too 🤣🤣

[@syedferoz2188]

I was like who is this new king in the history of human kind much worse than Genghis Attila etc etc

[@globe3981]

@@syedferoz2188 Attila is nothing nesides leopold

[@elitedangeroustheworldnext9086]

pretty sure they will change that later , just wait

[@akbflo]

Same!

[@tashantimothy6180]

Me: Scrolling down KZbin TedEd: History’s Deadliest King Me: It’s Leopold isn’t it TedEd: it….it’s Leopold

[@demonizedhuman941]

Bro u African? How did u know about Leopold? Im confused whether I heard about him from the Tarzan movie with Margot Robbie or from highschool, but we Indians aren't really taught that extensively about Africa besides the apartheid and Rosa Park kind of things so idk how I heard about him.

[@tashantimothy6180]

@@demonizedhuman941 I’m what the white folks call ✨African American✨. The schools here definitely don’t teach this stuff. I had to do my own research which is basically watching KZbin videos about history and forming my own opinions and not letting the white-washing that Americans do blind me to the truth

[@aguy2581]

@@tashantimothy6180 same except I'm Indian

[@mse5842]

I know Leopold from the countryball memes ⬇️ Europeans: haha Belgian of very cute I can walkings through you to Paris Belgium: hahaha... funny... ....... *enters basement and locks the door (Bad things happen)

[@lucasbrant9856]

@@demonizedhuman941 Paradox games are a great way to learn about world atrocities, (victoria 2 in this case). Sometimes you can even commit your own!

[@vasudev8957]

It's sad that people in congo are still living in the same poverty the only thing changed is that now they dont cut their hands

[@demonizedhuman941]

@My Lord vice made a documentary of another African country which still have cannibalism over there. Also u r speaking about that Congolese general right? That heart ripping story is of that general right?

[@bjarniyt1402]

@@sunnya4310 The Antwerpse handjes have nothing to do with the free state. The hand has been a symbol of Antwerp long before Belgium even existed. Please refrain from making such insulting coments in the future.

[@demonizedhuman941]

@JeffChad yeah. Sickened my heart out. So bad that while people out here own billions, some people out there doesn't even have the opportunity to earn good food.

[@demonizedhuman941]

@JeffChad fr. Yeah the kids are still not taught much about colonial history and other stuffs and their explanation for all these colonial wrong-doings is by blaming the oppressed for being too weak to get oppressed.

[@freckleheckler6311]

@@demonizedhuman941 that’s because they aren’t

[@emiwolvesbane2523]

People should definately learn history like this to avoid and see through other horrible atrocities.

[@schwerergustav.]

This channel believe in darwin theory of evolution, yet they call natural selection atrocities

[@formalist6096]

I think you should learn how to spell.

[@snowcold5932]

I live in Belgium, and disgustingly there are still statues of Leopold, and streets named after him. What Belgium and the rest of Europe did to Africa and africans was some of the worst atrocities imaginable

[@Kimikashimoo]

TAKE THEM DOWN

[@_.Infinity._]

Pretty much all the colonies suffered the same fate.If you see most of them had a glorious past but currently are struggling with poverty, while the ones who looted them are in a good position. Life truly isn't fair, the crooked ones always find a way to torment and exploit the innocent.

[@hexa1905]

Well he is not a very liked one, statues or not.

[@kingvxv6438]

@@AlexanderMichelson yea hope the same happen in Europe as well soon.

[@kingvxv6438]

@@AlexanderMichelson sure but Europe time is up and the sun is raising East. Everyone see how scary you are of China. World is changing everyday.

[@gracewilliams7476]

As a congolese canadian, I feel this pain deep within and I'm glad that TED-Ed is bringing to light this atrocity.

[@freckleheckler6311]

Why should anyone care?

[@freckleheckler6311]

Your race is

[@freckleheckler6311]

Less valuable

[@ate313]

@@freckleheckler6311 Stop trolling and go outside

[@isab0435]

You are not alone in feeling an pain in this and I believe that anyone that does not really needs professional help. Even though I'm not Congolese I feel an intense anger regarding things like the scrabble for Africa. The effects of that time are still being felt and worst of all is that ALOT of this isn't taught in school. Which means that people don't understand that Africa's situation today is directly related to the dictions made a long time ago by crazy, greedy, idiots. Anyways on a happy note, at least the evils of the past are being brought in to the light. Love to you and yours.

[@srdiguzman]

It's important to notice that Leopold also convinced the other European leaders to "grant" him the Congo because of his NGO, ment to "educate and develop" the basin tribes, that were already operating in the region. Soon after, the NGO became quite the opposite of a NGO, focused mainly on getting ivory.

[@ayushkumar-bg1xf]

as if other european were saints , just check what brits did in India in around same time , read about indigo revolution in India which made gandhi hero

[@srdiguzman]

@@ayushkumar-bg1xf of course. This was just an argument used to convince them to let him, as an individual and leader of a NGO, not Belgium, to oversee the whole territory.

[@ayushkumar-bg1xf]

@DiscordChaos they did say yes only because by giving him a tiny patch of land (in comparison to entire world for France and uk ) European powers avoided a conflict or war with Belgium .it was more like personal kickback to king to keep Belgium out of race

[@franksmith9725]

@DiscordChaos Also all the major powers wanted to take the Congo for themselves, and so all the major powers didn't want each other to get it. Since everyone hated the idea of giving it to another major power, they gave it to a country which wasn't a major power.

[@sohamacharya171]

An NGO is a non-governmental Organization. It doesn't matter if they support or are against giving rights to certain humans.

[@countvladislausdragulia7414]

I saw a picture a few years back of a Congolese man staring at something on his house’s porch. The caption explained that when he’d failed to meet rubber quotas, the soldiers had killed his family and cannibalized his daughter, and that they’d left her foot on his porch. Imagine coming home from your enslaved work, to find that your wife and daughter have been *eaten* by the men that you’re slaving away for.

[@hannahjewelgultiano1106]

dang thats harsh

[@Asgoga]

Belgian Cannibals, sounds like exaggerated with no source back this up

[@MakaveliRaider]

Sad & Infuriating. Can't believe things like this happen in our world.

[@AwesomeXavy]

Cant believe our king did this :(

[@prcekcz908]

Lol the existence is cruel

[@MakaveliRaider]

@@AwesomeXavy your from Belgium?

[@bak5448]

Atrocities such as this still happen today. There is ongoing genocide in China against a minority and many middle eastern countries still cut off people’s hands for petty crimes.

[@MonkeyMonkeyMONKEY.]

@@bak5448 Exactly! The US is supporting genocide in Palestine and it’s also committing war crimes in the Middle East too.

[@NickVennlig]

Just finished a book about this coincidentally called "King Leopold's Ghost". Easily one of the more profound and frightening books I've ever read especially considering how relatively unknown it is outside the DRC and arguably Belgium.

[@sohamacharya171]

A quote from that book was in this video.

[@jorenbosmans8065]

Not sure if it is that one, but there is a book about the horrors that happened under Leopold ll his rule and later the Belgian government which did create a huge debate about what happened in Congo. I think it was published 10 to 20 years ago.

[@hmt4173]

One of the most haunting things I remember from that book was about how the Congolese thought the white men were cannibals, because of the sheer scale of cruelty. they believed that their blood was used to make wine, their burned ashes were made into gun powder, and their brains were used to make cheese.

[@giannivandecasteele5267]

I as a belgium never learned of this we learned that he was a great leader who buildt many buildings and made our country rich

[@RogueLemonFTW]

@@giannivandecasteele5267 Your school failed you. I am from Belgium aswell, and I was thought of the horrors commited in Congo in the name of king Leopold extensively.

[@aryan3229]

I thought bad men like Leopold don't exist in today's modern world. But if you scroll down to the comments, you will see some people saying that Leopold helped Belgium a lot, and it does not matter that many people have suffered and are still suffering because of him.

[@runajain5773]

Uh uh kim jong un uh uh

[@yorkerold]

A lot of psychotic losers on the internet feel free to praise all sorts of atrocities. They must have sad and miserable lives.

[@Facts-Over-Feelings]

LEOPOLD LIVES IN MOST OF THEM

[@JoshuaMartinez-xe2xk]

Well as long as it benefits or benefited us and Belgium, we're good. I see no problem.

[@gondar6181]

@@JoshuaMartinez-xe2xk It didn’t benefit Kongo. Do you guys over in Belgium think that the world revolves around you?

[@gf4453]

How heart-wrenching... The potential for human cruelty knows no limits. Those poor people...

[@werdna1969]

Me: “History’s deadliest king? I bet he is nothing compared with King Leopold of Belgium.” *The video turns out to be about King Leopold of Belgium* Me: “….Oh.”

[@ash.bl.9289]

Didn't Genghis Khan and Timur / Tamerlane kill more people? Or weren't you kings?

[@mariustan9275]

@@ash.bl.9289 Genghis Khan at least treated his people nicely and gave the countries he fought a chance to join him.

[@mr.fantastic6568]

@@mariustan9275 didnt leopold also hired Congolese to be part of his own military

[@capncake8837]

@@mr.fantastic6568 Yeah. Those that weren't mercenaries from elsewhere were recruited or conscripted from warrior tribes in the Haut-Congo region.

[@easterworshipper730]

This people doesnt know was tamerlane was.

[@marcopina2659]

I teach world history and when we discuss The Scramble for Africa I'm always sure to go in depth with Congo, spending more time than is required. I want to emphasize that colonialism has no limits to its cruelty. I'll be sure to use this clip now too.

[@sabrelou1988]

You wrote your comment a year ago. I don’t know if you’re still teaching or not; but I just want to say that you’re a rare type of teacher!! Keep up the good work!!!

[@alaskawashington]

I remember doing a research project in high school on the scramble for Africa and specifically the developments mentioned in this video, as well as learning in the classroom about many of the most horrible and horrific details of Leopold’s exploitation. Now, having already spent hours and hours learning this information in even more depth, I can’t help but tear up as I hear it again. How, even after the attempt to at least partially correct the initial injustice, which had truly been colonialism at its worst, did the western world justify meddling once again? To protect personal (and most likely monetary) interests, the west intervened and sent a country on the brink of collapse down into the pit of dictatorship and destruction, all while failing to properly acknowledge their part in it reaching that point in the first place. It breaks my heart because this practice is directly counterproductive to the strive for freedom and equity that is supposed to be so highly valued in these regions, yet it is so very, very common.

[@sanchitaabrol]

The most common thing people know about Belgium is chocolates. Thanks TED-Ed for giving untold stories such a wide reach!!

[@nandinhocunha440]

Most people know Belgium has a bump into France

[@unbonfrancophone1539]

@@nandinhocunha440 la pisse de chameau

[@baddad2955]

French fries are Belgian

[@mrfancyshmancy]

One of the darkest pages of belgian history and i'm happy that we atleast learn about this in school and know how messed up it was.

[@wafelswafels8613]

Not that Belgium did something but ok.

[@mrfancyshmancy]

@@wafelswafels8613 it's still part of belgian history.

[@wafelswafels8613]

@@mrfancyshmancy Thats true.

[@Free_Palestine_419]

@@mrfancyshmancy It would be even nicer if the Belgian Government gave reparations to the Congo. Over a century worth of reparations.

[@ronaldomontero3624]

Under German occupation

[@starcherry6814]

5:00 For those who missed it The US assassinated Congo's first PM

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

@@nuqwestr Pro-communist? Lol no. Pro-independence. He approached the Americans and they turned him away then he went to the Soviets and they welcomed him with open arms. Then you proceed to justify his murder with your propaganda. What a joke!

[@robertjarman3703]

@@nuqwestr Does that justify a coup d'etat if his rule was not authoritarian?

[@icrushchildrensdreams4556]

@@nuqwestr the more you hear the more you feel like the CIA is actually just a crime syndicate of drunk cops with a bunch of weapons and money

[@demonizedhuman941]

@@icrushchildrensdreams4556 CIA is not under control of even American government lol. The Intelligence network is very complicated and crazy.

[@BobBogaert]

@@nuqwestr So you don't justify his murder, but you think it's good riddance? Which is it? Lumumba wasn't pro-communist. He was pro-neutrality. He tried to maintain relations with the Belgians, but they created crisis after crisis, incited mutinies, made the county ungovernable, and supported Katangan independence. He turned to the US, but they only wanted to act through the UN on a weakened mandate. He went to Canada, same story. If every restaurant in town refuses services until I can only go to Arby's, that doesn't make me pro-Arby's does it? The Belgian government and the US never acted in good faith. The French went as far to support mercenaries under Bob Denard to support Tshombe and Katangan independence. Is it that difficult to believe that mining companies and western governments would brand someone a communist in order to protect their commercial interests? It's the oldest trick in the book.

[@samshine_2]

I just wanna thank everyone that put effort into animating this. What a masterpiece.

[@kevinstapp328]

The Ishango Bone is still on display in the Royal Belgian Institute. Found in the Congo and stolen by Belgian colonizer Jean de Heinzelin de Braucourt in 1950 it is one of the earliest examples of humans utilizing mathematics and may be the very first object found displaying prime numbers. The Ishango Bone deserves to be returned to the Congo where generations of children can visit it in it’s rightful home and ponder the great genius of their African ancestors.

[@mr.minnesoulja1257]

I cannot live without TedEd

[@ZOCCOK]

SIMP

[@godswillharold7409]

I catch your drift coz I feel the same way

[@ameyajoshi400]

Facts!

[@amalsrivastava6853]

Then you should not have it

[@mihnma]

This monster died comfortably in his home country, while his family's descendants still hold on to the throne of Belgium. There is truly little to no justice in this world.

[@welloetelloe]

Actually none of Leopolds children became the next king, it was his nephew Albert I Also the king doesn't really have any power in Belgium

[@mihnma]

@@welloetelloe I know who succeeded Leopold that's why I said "His family's descendants", please learn how to interpret a statement. And I never said that they had political power, please learn how to read, period, lmfao

[@JoeMama-bo2qt]

You sound like your directly insulting the Modern royal Family of Belgium, Which currently Relinquishes large parts of their Power in favor of Democracy, Donates to Charities on a large scale, etc, also, this was 100+ Years ago, 90% The Royal Family has Undoubtedly changed since than.

[@capncake8837]

At least he died soon after he gave up control of the Congo. It’s sort of poetic in a way.

[@klif4755]

@@mihnma 🤓

[@drunk_monkey8080]

I came across this when when I was 9 years old, on my eldest sister's history book. The photo of the man and the child looking at severed hands is so haunting.

[@jacobsion5516]

I got goosebumps while watching this. Shame on human history.

[@ballsonyourmomschin1781]

It’s shame on Leopold and Belgium not history.

[@MaxMustermann-bm7qt]

If you really want to cry, google this: Alice Seeley Harris. Don’t know why her name wasn’t mentioned.

[@no-rq7fp]

@@MaxMustermann-bm7qt Because she's white duh! Also I lol'd thahahahahahaha

[@ashokafulcrum4795]

@@ballsonyourmomschin1781 *Leopold II,.. given that even the entirety of Belgium wanted nothing to do with his Colonial ventures.

[@ballsonyourmomschin1781]

@@ashokafulcrum4795 the government knew he was doing it and allowed him to do it so…….

[@gojira4036]

“Congo free state” More like *Congo Concentration camp*

[@JoeMama-bo2qt]

It was Called the "Free State" Because it was ruled by Leopold, not Belgium, and thus, technically, was its own Country, Funny how the Congolese people were more Free under direct Belgian Control than the so called "Free State" Btw, sorry if im like, 8 months late, but i wanted to point this out.

[@historicalFeminist]

The opening of this video is so evocative. It perfectly humanizes what is so easy to think of as numbers in a history book.

[@mbbbits4847]

It is relieving to know that atrocities usually overlooked for not taking place in the western world are brought to light by such a popular platform. Keep up the good work!

[@karthikshenoy7883]

Thank you so much for considering my request , TED-Ed. You guys are always such a great help to me.

[@AmanSingh-lv9qp]

Most kings couldn't get there mark in history but this one looked like a pi3ce of cake

[@doofeyduck9316]

It is very painful and heart-wrenching to hear the dark history of our brothers and sisters. Great work Ted-Ed, keep making such videos and reveal the truth to the world.

[@knaravind3335]

British monarchy: Finally A worthy opponent. Our battle will be legendary!

[@eatathepizza4449]

God save the Queen

[@doctorgamez2410]

Careful, now colonial apologists will come to defend their precious queen🤣🤣

[@eatathepizza4449]

@@doctorgamez2410 you called ?

[@doctorgamez2410]

@@eatathepizza4449 right on time😂🤝

[@eatathepizza4449]

@@doctorgamez2410 🎉 god save her majesty 🎉

[@bhekumuzitshabalala]

This broke my heart.

[@demonizedhuman941]

Eventho we Indians didn't face this much we can also relate bro.

[@dennisagbayani3327]

One of the very BEST narrators EVER. Clear, no-nonsense, pleasant to hear, obviously PROFESSIONAL. Thank you so much. May we hear from you ever so often. Great content deserves Great Delivery. Speaking of content, this leaves me VERY content.

[@andrewwudarta561]

Leopold: I’m going to change the congo Congolese: For the better right? Leopold: 👁👁 Congolese: For the better right…

[@mse5842]

Padmé format?

[@shakthianand6863]

@@mse5842 yes

[@sigitprabowo363]

I met Belgian tourists in 2012 and they were university students, surprisingly they didn't know about how Leopold and his horrific story.

[@welloetelloe]

That's a pretty rare occurrence, most people here know about it

[@robinnoel2716]

Well actually , I didnt learn about it at school . I learned this by myself because I'm kinda a history geek. 😅

[@tangerine5903]

Really liking the history videos that bring injustice to more attention. Great job TED-Ed, hope you guys keep this content up and bring more.

[@ash.bl.9289]

The biggest problem in most African countries is mainly the arbitrary lines with which different ethnicities or peoples are forced to live together in one country. That is why the African countries are often in civil war and have little stability. You should negotiate with the UN that every people who really can't get along in a country get their own or autonomous country with their own government so that they have more stability where possible.

[@gunjanagarwal8251]

Earth provides enough to satisfy everyone's need....but not everyone's greed. ---- MAHATMA GANDHI

[@akay_g9]

@Green Gobby Actually, there are profound pieces of evidence to show that solving needs like the need for food can indeed be solved worldwide. We as Humans do not do so because there are many psychological, political, and social reasons why we Humans simply just, basically, don't want to do so. I recommend checking out this books if you wanna know more: - First World Hunger: Food Security and Welfare Politics, by Graham Riches TedX Also has a great video from an expert explaining the issue very well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bITRh6ChhZZ7rZY

[@GBS4893]

@Green Gobby It won't because the necessary money won't be put on the table. Hydroponic farms are a good example of this. We could have vertical farms that go as far high as a building can. That's a lot of food by m². Yet a huge part of humanity is starving, or dying of a lack of pretty cheap stuff. Anyway, this debate is actually centuries old, i think it's more of a society phenomenon than a real debate as the arguments we have now and our ancestors had back then are so different yet the discussion remains globally the same.

[@davidsilverfield835]

Clean India first lol

[@Ihrun]

Ghandi was a subversive snake who abused Britain's naïve benevolence to undermine their rightful interests in India.

[@foxymetroid]

@@Ihrun The British were hardly benevolent and had only themselves to blame for their increasing unpopularity in the country.

[@tryingmydarndest8200]

So proud of my history teacher for teaching us this.

[@sleepyboi5804]

This is very tragic.

[@TristanSamuel]

Africa: exists Leopold: I am the very model of a modern major general

[@avigailpekelman8239]

Is this a hamilton reference?

[@TristanSamuel]

@@avigailpekelman8239 IDK just heard it somewhere 😐

[@michaelterrell5061]

@@avigailpekelman8239 NO

[@michaelterrell5061]

@@TristanSamuel it’s Gilbert and Sullivan.

[@TristanSamuel]

@@michaelterrell5061 Oh thx

[@opusepynomus9995]

What's even more sad is that decades after Europeans left....Africans have been fighting each other instead of rebuilding.

[@msgirly6827]

Tell the whole story. Because the europeans never actually left. You arent smooth.

[@biochemistry5009]

@@msgirly6827 no

[@ate313]

Division caused by Europeans

[@foxymetroid]

A big reason was the Cold War. Even after the colonial powers "left", the West and East still sought to expand their influence in the continent, often with coups and revolutions. Heck, the first democratically elected leader of the Congo after it gained independence was assassinated with help from the CIA because the Americans interpreted his attempts at neutrality as support for the USSR and Communism in general.

[@unknown-vk1zw]

Yet another awesome video! The animation was amazing and the voice showed they put hard effort, great job TED-Ed!

[@recordkeepingandinformatio8206]

A reminder that no country has stood or ever will stand for human rights.

[@ShailendraSinghChauhanKing]

What we need to do ???

[@krevin543]

@@ShailendraSinghChauhanKing we need government to be small and only perform certain strictly defined functions with checks and balances within itself ultimately responsible to it’s people. Recalling and impeaching bad officials, and elections for terms which are then limited. Good media which is always critical and factual keeping the populace informed on statistics, results, and events.

[@Teufer2]

Ey. We Swiss gave you the Geneva Convention. Not our fault if no one follows the guidelines.

[@fyukfy2366]

@@Teufer2 don't be so high and mighty, being neutral doesn't mean being good. In fact being neutral by definition means you aren't good

[@Teufer2]

@@fyukfy2366 Being Neutral in Swiss terms means we do not interfere in other countries politics. Especially military. What I mean we wrote the Geneva Convention and have helped many times as neutral interpreters in conflicts. If you still wish to kill each other. Go ahead. We will not stop you. Firstly because we have not the means to do so but mostly in the end it is not our problem. So not doing warcrimes and at least trying to prevent war diplomatically is still better than many countries.

[@simonettacollatina7197]

I was not aware of these atrocities, unbelievable. Thank you for opening my eyes

[@LeoniasSvk]

This is what happens when you have superior technological advantage. Some group of people us it in unforeseeable actions of cruelty

[@alx8571]

@@LeoniasSvk Justifying genocide? Weird

[@lordspotato5032]

@@alx8571 hes not though. Hes talking how genocide often starts

[@alx8571]

@@lordspotato5032 The op was saying “wow that’s horrific thanks for the info” and he basically “that’s just what happens 🤷🏻‍♂️ “like….are you really that dense

[@lordspotato5032]

@@alx8571 no he wasn't. Read it again. There are certain context clues to help you determine the meaning of his statement. hint: "unforeseeable". Never in his statement was there the malicious tone of "that's JUST what happens" He is correct in that when people have a high amount of power over another group, such horrific things can occur. This is true. This is also why we have to be wary of these current events and issues in which state powers have such power to commit atrocities. Have you heard of the Uyghurs in China? Perhaps you should read a bit into it, might prove helpful. These types of atrocities still happen today, at different levels. I honestly don't know what else to tell you dude. Clearly you are reading with a bit of bias in your head and a temper in your mouth as well judging from your last statement. It's really hard to judge and understand people's intentions online, because of the lack of facial cues and tone. Would suggest not immediately jumping to assumptions, because text can be read in many different ways.

[@aqib.]

This should be included in school textbooks. The only hope to end racism and human rights abuses is by educating the coming generations.

[@aqib.]

@@nuqwestr I'm from Asia and we have very limited exposure to African history.

[@teamjam2863]

@@aqib. mostly since we have our own history regarding similar issues for the most part : For India it’s internal fighting and mass killings from several groups (natives and foreign), for China it is what they committed tho they were also subjected to what the japanese did to them. For the Phillipines it was the Japanese occupation and civil war, for Malayic countries (Malaysia, Indonesia etc) Dutch and British rule over the nations, for the Middle East (long history of conflict in the region such as crusader states) and Central Asia similarly long history of occupation etc. Even oppressors such as Japan has their own history with the mongols and their historical genocide towards the true natives of Japan. There is a stark contrast between the African and Asian sentiments despite being treated in similar ways historically this is due to the more Asian concept of acknowledging the past and focusing on the future which is why a lot of statues of war criminals from ww2 exist in their victims country and a lack of demand for compensation in general.

[@mothug978]

Great video, informative content! Awesome animation and narration! Thank you!

[@simranmalhotra7364]

Sad at the atrocities those countless men, women and children had to go through and many are still going through for no fault of their own.😔 Thanks, TED-Ed for making videos on such topics.😊

[@ronaldomontero3624]

Us too

[@stressed_vivi]

"they used bullets for hunting and in order to not face consequences, cut hands of innocent Congo people." I cannot tell you how much this statement has horrified and made me gag

[@akaworlds4197]

As a Congolese myself I’m very sad that I’ve learned so little about my country and this king scarred my people for generations and generations

[@SolelyACasualRambler]

(Not so) fun fact: This was one of the first times the phrase "crimes against humanity" was used to describe what was being done

[@jamesmagdaraog5905]

This is so heartbreaking. 💔 How could someone let this happen?

[@GBS4893]

Psst. People are still starving or dying from basic stuff because they don't have the equivalent of 5$, 'cause their country are maintained in poverty and conflict by industrialized nations. Our wealth comes from their doom. We are all letting this happen.

[@baddad2955]

What happened after king Leopold.

[@TheMarijule]

Thank you Tedex for bringing awareness to the whole world.

[@anaisussy]

@Pinned by TED-Ed tf?

[@franksmith9725]

I've never seen a more obvious scam lol

[@minecraftwithava6531]

Awareness about this, but in Russia during communism 90 million were killed, including some of my ancestors. Ever wondered why ted Ed doesn’t talk about communism?

[@vess889]

Thanks for this video! It was eye openning

[@user-tm2vw2gd8g]

It's scary that history just keeps on repeating itself

[@red_reaper]

Its really shocking how much of history and events like these are hidden or worse, erased!

[@kishorkumar7652]

These sorta atrocities and brutalities are buried in History. . These need to be explored, as the past is the best piece to vision a better future. ✌🏼💗

[@froglifes6829]

@@nuqwestr Theyre fake woke

[@kishorkumar7652]

@@nuqwestr okay dear.... . But I'm talking about other atrocities too, which are manipulated by the govts in power in many countries...

[@baconbuttie9624]

How have I just found this channel? Its freakin’ awesome

[@chancephillips7975]

Thank you Ted Ed for another insightful, beautifully animated educational video. As a history teacher, your videos are my go-to source when time is limited, but I want to provide students with engaging and meaningful supplementary materials to drive home the main course content. Kudos!

[@starcherry6814]

"Forced many Congolese men to complete *unpaid labour* " Just say he _enslaved_ them

[@J.5.M.]

Slavery implies ownership over another person, making a person property. Unpaid / forced labour might not be the same thing.

[@Charlie-yq8hu]

@@J.5.M. well ye, but they forced them to do it so id argue kinda treated them like they owned them, and they took their children hostage and chopped of their hands. This to me is treating them like they own them. I do understand what you mean though, under a technicality its not slavery, however it is as good as

[@J.5.M.]

@@Charlie-yq8hu Yeah obviously I'm not justifying any of it. Just explaining the terms

[@Fahad-bk9pc]

@xxyyzz There's no difference. Don't try to defend a bloody tyrant. There's even records that he threatened to mutilate people's children if they do not work.

[@Charlie-yq8hu]

@xxyyzz je kinda

[@Fugitivez03]

And they expect the victims to thank them for railways and education! 😏

[@nandinhocunha440]

@Pinned by TED-Ed totally not fake

[@terecthetec756]

Moreover, the infrastructure financed by the colonial governments were themselves part of the extractivist and colonialist practices, meaning that even after independence these countries were ill-suited to transition into an industrialized mode of production and many of these ventures continued being owned by European companies eve to this day

[@moth_kaca]

I like this history style videos, short, to the point and educational keep it coming.

[@kensingcd]

These terrible events should be reminders that atrocities, terror, and injustice are not exclusive to one particular group, race, or continent. This is only one of countless examples in history.. sadly I don’t think most people reach this conclusion after watching this.

[@TooshanSrivastava]

Thank you for bringing this story to light; the atrocities that this continent has endured! Please do one on the Bengal famine if possible.

[@user-kx9wd8fx9m]

Thank you TED-Ed😇 That is so tragic😭 People, let's be kinder to one another!🤗

[@godlysoul2288]

That’s so true Hi,How are you doing ?

[@user-kx9wd8fx9m]

@@godlysoul2288 Hi! I am fine! How are you?

[@godlysoul2288]

@@user-kx9wd8fx9m also fine, thanks for asking... and you same to be caring girl with a perfect heart.

[@easterworshipper730]

You said that because you havent spend a day in the XIX Century. Lol

[@baddad2955]

@@easterworshipper730 lol

[@truetory6231]

A King so reprehensible even God and nature didn't want his bloodline to continue. I personally think that Belgium is fortunate that none of it's subsequent monarchs were descended from this total monster

[@mastersarvesh5411]

Awesome content TED-Ed, learning made easy

[@nikkifan2949]

I can't deny the notification sent by youtube, coz I love this channel

[@NE.MUTLU-.TURKUM.DIYENE]

i feel ashamed as a belgian

[@x6965]

It's not just title but the animation and BGM and filmi teaching attracts learners.... Keep it up ❤️

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Very interesting, informative and worthwhile video. A must see video for everyone.

[@Nioswinnen]

I live in belgium and learnt about this in school

[@Nioswinnen]

Its not my fhoult?

[@Nioswinnen]

And the people of belgium hat leopold II

[@victorpiccard5165]

@xxyyzz that’s not true, the region of belgium was wealthy long before it was even a country, yes colonialism gave us money, but not as much as you think and during the reign of leopold the 2nd all the money went to him, i understand that you are upset and still suffer from it, but you were somewhat rude to him, and it’s not only europeans who did this, people did this kind of thing troughout history

[@Pistoshaska]

@xxyyzz a bit exaggerated

[@williamsalaets6884]

Hey, glad you're learning about mistakes from the past. Helps to create a better future. And @xxyyzz those are quite the accusations. It's true that Belgium has to live with the regret of one of it's former kings actions but acting aggresive to a student due to someone elses mistakes in the past leads to no improvement of what happened. I like to study history & If there's 1 thing that history teached me it's that giving/demanding an apology is easy but it's hard to truely forgive/forget. So i hope you can give the subject some thought and give it a place. I'm not asking you to forgive but to be the better man when it comes to sensitive subjects like this cuz that way we're a step closer to burying the hatchet.

[@verminwatch_out1283]

Wow...first time I heard of this mass murderer...the European colonizers did an amazing job to conceal this shameful greed, barbarism and exploitation for so long

[@vaibhavarora9408]

Thank you Ted-Ed

[@lordjaximus4597]

Happy to see this story being told

[@blueaspenmeadow3862]

Taking the human rights of others to achieve opulent dreams for themselves, is something no person should do let alone a leader…

[@akumaking1]

Authoritarian politicians: WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN!

[@M0CC3R]

The video hasn’t even been out for a minute yet. Wtf r u talking about?

[@mohit_panjwani]

@@M0CC3R see the video and see what he’s talking about.

[@ipadair7345]

China: intresting

[@riteshsharma3193]

Plunder so strong that it is running since 2 century and we don't know how far will it take us, So beautiful quote at the start.

[@randomobserver8168]

Both a low point in the history of human cruelty and a high, indeed foundational, point in the history of national, international, and private sector/civil society activism against it. The former was epochally cruel, the latter was new, unexpected, and ultimately encouraging if not always imitated since.

[@aliensinmyass7867]

We've heard this story a million times, isn't anyone bored of it?

[@ignorasmus]

@01:55 - If a country's name has non geographic adjective in it like 'Free / Democratic / Great' etc. it is almost a definite indicator that it is not what the name indicates. There is this place to the west of Japan. It's official name is : Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

[@ipadair7345]

@Legannd same with Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

[@jakemarchbank]

However something like the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland might seem to meet your criteria but the 'Great' in Great Britain actually refers to geography. Great Britain is distinct from 'Little Britain' which is known now as Brittany, the most western part of Metropolitan France. The distinction is no longer as important as it once was and the meaning of 'Great' is sometimes misunderstood these days!

[@jakemarchbank]

@@ipadair7345 not really, a Republic is any form of government which has a president instead of a monarch. This means that non democratic states can still be republics, and democratic states don't have to be republics!

[@raveenakalra143]

So true, like democratic P.R of Korea and great Britain, which is the biggest invader and not all great. Same with Congo free state

[@jakemarchbank]

@@raveenakalra143 Great Britain gets the Great in its name to differentiate it from 'Little Britain' which is now known as Brittany, a part of France. Nothing to do with being pompous! It just means it's bigger that the other Britain!

[@FICOMJ]

Wow amazing all of your videos are very smart and so intelligent and I am giving you 500 likes I mean infinity 👍

[@joppefrans8393]

As a belgian I still don’t get why there is still this notion that Europe brought “civilization” or “democracy” to Africa

[@kingvxv6438]

@@nuqwestr lmao Europeans didn’t bring Christianity to Africa. It was already here before it got to Europe, Egypt, Sudan which use to be Nubia and Ethiopia were Orthodox Christian. Only today Ethiopia still Christian nation.

[@AlexanderMichelson]

Because Africa lived in the stone age. And now its population is booming like crazy. You are welcome!

[@kingvxv6438]

@@nuqwestr yea Ik but has Christianity benefit DRC Answer is No. if you want more answer watch DW documentary about DRC, most viewed in the last couple of months.

[@ate313]

@@AlexanderMichelson The population growth isn't a good thing. And no, they didn't

[@woodsloth2255]

I am from belgium and I am so sorry to everyone from congo

[@induction7895]

The pleasures that we take for granted paid for by the blood of millions of people in far away land- the bloodshed caused by us.

[@fanteasy7399]

That was 150 years ago, it is part of history, no need to sorry because nowadays Belgium has nothing in common with Leopold's policy, the main thing we don't have some kind of policy today, and that's good

[@letsgetreal2501]

It is not your duty to be sorry for something done so long ago. But the simple act of acknowledging what happened, and perhaps amends in the form of reparations can go a long way.

[@woodsloth2255]

Yes true all of you

[@ipadair7345]

not your or anyone who lives there currently's fault, the past has been done, no need to apologise for crimes you haven't commited or helped in.

[@myllasunaya3871]

I am living in Belgium for the past months and now I feel so bad to take pictures in several monuments in Brussels after watching this video 😭😭

[@capusvacans]

Don't, they are beautifull builings, just keep the context of their origins in mind when you pass by them. If not you can't take photos of most historic buildings, wether in france, the UK, Spain, the netherlands etc, as many, many of them were built on the blood of the colonised in one way or another. Even the buildings that ppl glorify and admire of ancient empires like the colosseum in Rome (and pretty much every other roman building tbh) were built with the profits gained by a combination of conquest, slavery, murder etc. It always pisses me off when someone talks about the "civilised" romans tbh, they were a bunch of savages who build nice buildings, not much more then that. The saying, "every great fortune is built on an even greater crime" is just as true now as it has been since the beginning of time. We need to face that fact, put it in context and make sure it is widely known. But the buildings themselves, they did nothing wrong and often are simply beautifull or show leaps in technology and should be admired for that, not hated upon.

[@mrtrollnator123]

@@capusvacans exactly

[@baddad2955]

The funny thing is that in this movie on the horse of king Leopold was painted BLM. You know what happened with that organisation. People still don't get it

[@f4ke444]

Great video! Would love to see Credits for the animators in the description aswell 🙌

[@Dragontamer135]

These videos should be shown more in history classes.