Answer and Explanation:
Describe the system of labor put into place by Leopold to gather ivory and wild rubber.
King Leopold would use chiefs and troops of mercenaries to force the people from Congo to work for him, gathering iron and latex (rubber). Those who refused to work or who failed to fulfill their quotas would be mutilated, having their hands cut off. About 15 million people are estimated to have died during King Leopold's rule.
Was this a form of slavery?
Yes, it certainly was. Slavery can be defined as being forced to work for someone and not being allowed to quit that service. It is also a typical condition of slavery being mistreated and physically punished for one's mistakes or failures. As we can see, the system described above fits this definition perfectly. The people from Congo were forced to work for the king and severely punished when they refused.
