Episode 170: Congo's Nightmare Part II - A Slice of African Cake

About this episode

This episode explores King Leopold II's ambitious and villainous plan to seize the Congo during European imperialism.

As European imperialism heated up in Africa in the late 1800's, King Leopold II of Belgium put into motion one of the most ambitious and villainous plans in all of European history - the theft of the entire Congo. Utilizing the work of explorer Henry Morton Stanley, European animus towards the Afro-Arab Slave Trade, the creation of dubious committees and associations, international lobbying of governments, public relations campaigns, and bogus treaties with the people of Congo, Leopold understood that "...we must be cautious, clever and quick to act. I would not expose myself to displeasing the English or letting escape a good opportunity to get some of this beautiful African cake." In 1885, the countries of Europe gave their blessing to Leopold's slice of cake at the Berlin Conference. This episode is Part 2 in a series on the Belgian Congo. It takes a look at how Leopold II of Belgium went from being a monarch of tiny Belgium to the owner of the biggest European colony in Africa. Upcoming episodes will discuss atrocities in the Congo, resistance and reform movements, and more. -Consider Supporting the Podcast!- Leave a rating or review on apple podcasts or spotify ! Support the…

People in this episode

Host: Reflecting History

Topics covered

• European imperialism
• Congo
• King Leopold II
• colonialism
• African history
• atrocities
• resistance movements

Keywords

• Congo
• King Leopold II
• European imperialism
• Berlin Conference
• Henry Morton Stanley
• colonialism
• African history
• atrocities
• resistance movements

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Belgian Congo, Berlin Conference

Places: Africa, Belgium

More episodes of Reflecting History

• Episode 174: Congo's Nightmare Part VI - The End of the Congo Free State · April 21, 2026 · 35 min
• Episode 173: Congo's Nightmare Part V - Shadow War · March 31, 2026 · 28 min
• Episode 172: Congo's Nightmare Part IV - The Rubber Boom · March 10, 2026 · 48 min
• Episode 171: Congo's Nightmare Part III - Ivory Terror · February 17, 2026 · 37 min
• Episode 169: Congo's Nightmare Part I - An Ancient Place · January 6, 2026 · 40 min
• Episode 168: Never Let Me Go and The Bear · December 16, 2025 · 20 min