What were the effects on Belgian rule of Congo Free State indigenous people?

- Forced labor: Indigenous people were forced to work in the rubber industry under harsh and exploitative conditions. They were often subjected to violence and torture if they failed to meet production quotas.

- Slavery: Many indigenous people were effectively enslaved by the Belgian colonial administration. They were not allowed to leave their work camps, and they were often traded or sold like commodities.

- Disease: The introduction of European diseases, such as smallpox and measles, decimated the indigenous population. It is estimated that up to half of the population of the Congo Free State died as a result of disease.

- Famine: Forced labor and the disruption of traditional agricultural practices led to widespread famine. Millions of indigenous people died as a result of hunger.

- Cultural genocide: The Belgian colonial administration sought to suppress indigenous culture and traditions. They destroyed villages and sacred sites, and they forbade indigenous people from practicing their traditional religions.

The Congo Free State was a brutal and oppressive regime that had a devastating impact on the indigenous people of the region. The forced labor, slavery, disease, famine, and cultural genocide committed by the Belgians resulted in the deaths of millions of people.