Belgium colonized the Congo in 1885, after the Berlin Conference.

Leopold II was the Belgian king who ruled the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908.

The main economic activity in the Congo Free State was mining, particularly for rubber and copper.

It is estimated that 10 million people died in the Congo Free State during Leopold II's rule, due to forced labor, disease, and starvation.

The League of Nations investigated the atrocities in the Congo Free State in 1919.

As a result of the League of Nations investigation, Belgium was forced to give up the Congo Free State in 1908.

The new colony that was created after the Congo Free State was dissolved was called the Belgian Congo.

Belgium ruled the Belgian Congo for 60 years, from 1908 to 1960.

The main economic activity in the Belgian Congo was mining, particularly for copper, gold, and diamonds.

The living conditions for the Congolese people under Belgian rule were very bad. They were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions for little pay, and they were often subjected to violence and abuse.

The Congolese independence movement was called the Congolese National Movement.

The leader of the Congolese National Movement was Patrice Lumumba.

The Congo gained independence from Belgium on June 30, 1960.

The first president of the Congo was Joseph Kasavubu.

The Congolese civil war that took place after independence was called the Congo Crisis.