Which king of Belgium controlled the Congo Free State, known for its brutal exploitation?

King Leopold II of Belgium is renowned for his ownership of the Congo Free State, which he controlled personally from 1885 to 1908. His administration is infamous for the extreme exploitation and brutal treatment of the Congolese people. Under his rule, the region was subjected to harsh labor practices, resulting in millions of deaths due to overwork, disease, and starvation, as well as atrocities including mutilations for failing to meet rubber quotas.

Leopold's motivations were primarily economic; he sought to profit from the rich resources of the Congo, particularly rubber and ivory. His regime operated with minimal oversight, allowing him to enforce policies that would be considered inhumane by today's standards. The international outcry over the human rights abuses eventually led to the Belgian government taking control of the Congo in 1908, transitioning it to a Belgian colony, but the legacy of Leopold's rule remains a dark chapter in both Belgian and Congolese history.

The other kings of Belgium mentioned in the options did not have personal ownership or direct control over the Congo Free State. King Albert I ruled during World War I, and King Baudouin I and King Philippe’s reigns came long after the Congo Free State had been integrated into the Belgian Congo,