| One
of the precious resources of the Congo was its rubber trees.
The industrial revolution in Europe had brought a growing demand
for the resilient material. Harvesting the precious substance
from the trees was very labor intensive, so the Belgians wanted
a cheap source of labor. Leopold put in place a forced labor
system to keep the money flowing. Natives
of the Congo Free State were expected to pay taxes. Since
they had not operated with a money economy, this requirement
forced natives to work for the white men for very low wages
under very difficult conditions. The rubber tax was particularly
onerous.
The
Congo was depopulated as many fled their villages to avoid
the taxes.
This
is part of That Magnificent African
Cake: The Congo Free State
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