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Congo Free State
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The Congo Free State, also known as the Independent State of the Congo, was a large state and absolute monarchy in Central Africa from 1885 to 1908. It was privately owned by King Leopold II, the cons
Leopold II, King of the Belgians and de facto owner of the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908
Leopold II, King of the Belgians and de facto owner of the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908
Henry Morton Stanley, whose exploration of the Congo region at Leopold's invitation led to the establishment of the Congo Free State under personal so
Henry Morton Stanley, whose exploration of the Congo region at Leopold's invitation led to the establishment of the Congo Free State under personal sovereignty
A cartoon depicting Leopold II in the middle, German Emperor William I on the right and the Russian Empire on the left, at the 1884 Berlin Conference
A cartoon depicting Leopold II in the middle, German Emperor William I on the right and the Russian Empire on the left, at the 1884 Berlin Conference
A bond of the Congo Free State, issued March 1888
A bond of the Congo Free State, issued March 1888
Stairs Expedition to Katanga
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The Stairs Expedition to Katanga, led by Captain William Stairs, was the winner in a race between two imperial powers, the British South Africa Company BSAC and the Congo Free State, to claim Katanga,
Captain William Stairs, leader of the expedition
Captain William Stairs, leader of the expedition
The front of Msiri's boma (compound) at Bunkeya. The objects on top of the four poles, below which some of Msiri's warriors are gathered, are heads of
The front of Msiri's boma (compound) at Bunkeya. The objects on top of the four poles, below which some of Msiri's warriors are gathered, are heads of his enemies. More skulls are on the palisades forming the stockade.
Msiri's spies; this group led by an interpreter arrived in the expedition's fortified camp with a message. The drummers kept playing, and the expediti
Msiri's spies; this group led by an interpreter arrived in the expedition's fortified camp with a message. The drummers kept playing, and the expedition only found out later these were talking drums sending back information about the camp's defences.
African members of the Stairs Expedition. The men with rifles are most likely to be askaris, the others are porters, the man in the jacket is probably
African members of the Stairs Expedition. The men with rifles are most likely to be askaris, the others are porters, the man in the jacket is probably a nyampara (supervisor or chief). In the background at left are sections of two small boats which they carried for crossing rivers. Next to them, middle background are bales of cloth used for bartering for food and permission to cross chiefs' territories.