As a result of a worldwide rubber boom where rubber became a highly demanded economic resource, the agents of the Congo Free State kicked off efforts to gain as much rubber and profit as possible-leading to some of the worst human rights violations in history. Forced labor, slavery, disease, and death highlight this part of the story.

This episode is Part 4 in a series on the Belgian Congo. It discusses the impact of the late 19th century rubber boom on the people of Congo, the resulting human tragedy, the death toll in the Congo, the psychology of a typical Force Publique officer, and more. Future episodes will discuss resistance and protest movements that contributed to the end of the Congo Free State.

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