Final answer:
King Leopold II is infamously known for the brutal regime he oversaw in the Congo Free State, which was characterized by exploitation, inhuman treatment, and severe atrocities committed for personal financial gain.
Step-by-step explanation:
King Leopold II of Belgium is best known for his brutal exploitation and personal control of the Congo Free State, where his regime was responsible for atrocities and severe human rights abuses, all in the pursuit of profits. Despite initial claims of humanitarian and philanthropic intentions, such as ending the slave trade and civilizing the region, Leopold's real purpose was to amass wealth for himself and his associates through the exploitation of Congo's natural resources, particularly rubber and ivory.
The inhuman treatment of the local population involved forced labor, hostage-taking, mutilation, and mass murder. These actions led to dramatic population declines and caused international outrage, which eventually forced the Belgian government to take control of the colony in 1908. The plight of the Congolese under Leopold's rule was highlighted in the literature, namely Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness', and criticized through advocacy works like Mark Twain's 'King Leopold's Soliloquy.'