I'm currently researching and working on a TL where King Leopold II was assasinated in 1901. How would the world be difgferent, do you think? Who would inherit the Free State? Would it be turned over to the Belgian government?
Help with my TL!
- Thread starter Inquisition
- Start date
The French have right of first refusal on buying the colony. (ETA: I misremembered, they actually just get it if Leopold II can't keep it going.)
That might increase tensions in Africa with the French and British (but perhaps not, since it's a few years after Fashoda). It might spark some moral outrage in Europe over the condition of the colony.
Wider reaching effects? Dunno.
That might increase tensions in Africa with the French and British (but perhaps not, since it's a few years after Fashoda). It might spark some moral outrage in Europe over the condition of the colony.
Wider reaching effects? Dunno.
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With the death of Leopold, Congo would fall under the control of the Belgian government, much like it did IOTL if several years earlier.
I don't think so, but don't quote me on it. The Belgian people hated Leopold II, as he engaged in all sorts of unsavory stuff in both his personal life (affairs, mistresses, stripping his legitimate daughters of their inheritance, etc) in addition to the train wreck that was the Free State, and the public was literally waiting for his death day so control of Congo could legally revert to the government and so that they might start putting an end to the worst of the atrocities taking place there.
The crimes being committed in the Free State was one of the most galvanizing issues for reformists and activists across Europe and North America, and the Belgian people were very aware that Leopold's actions in the Congo were leaving a black mark on Belgium's reputations, and there weren't any tears shed when he died.
The crimes being committed in the Free State was one of the most galvanizing issues for reformists and activists across Europe and North America, and the Belgian people were very aware that Leopold's actions in the Congo were leaving a black mark on Belgium's reputations, and there weren't any tears shed when he died.
The Belgians annexed the Free State (technically they made Leopold II hand it over to them) rather reluctantly under pressure from the rest of Europe after the revelations about how horrible a place it was. Yes they hated Leopold II and were appalled at the Congo Free State… but that doesn't mean they wanted it. Nor were they legally entitled to it without Leopold II giving it to them.
If Leopold is killed in 1901 it'll revert to France unless Leopold's personal heir (not the Belgian state) chooses to try and make a go of it and I'm not even sure if France doesn't beat Leopold's heir. If France passes—which they might, but Congo was making money in 1901 and France literally gets it for free—then perhaps Belgium or some other country can try and get it.
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Maybe the British could take it over. Or the Germans......or, how about something even cooler: Give it to Austria-Hungary.
