Final answer:
The claim that Belgium expanded its empire in Africa, specifically in the Congo, under King Leopold II is true. Leopold's regime in the Congo was characterized by brutal exploitation of resources and local peoples, all carried out under the guise of humanitarian work.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'European States that expanded Empires in Africa: Belgium in the Congo (6.2) a) True' is indeed true. Belgium, specifically under the rule of King Leopold II, carved out an empire in the Congo Basin, an area rich in resources like ivory and rubber. Despite initially presenting his venture as altruistic and humanitarian, Leopold II's reign in the Congo was marked by ruthless exploitation and brutal treatment of the local populace. The Congo Free State, as it was known, was effectively controlled as his private property, not as an official Belgian colony, and became notorious for the atrocities committed there, such as forced labor and the mutilation of laborers who didn't meet their quotas.
The scramble for Africa involved multiple European powers and resulted in the near-total colonization of the African continent. Colonial powers, including Belgium, used the pretext of a 'civilizing mission' to justify their conquests, but economic interests, strategic concerns, and inter-European rivalries were often the true motivating factors. The Berlin Conference of 1884 formalized the partition of Africa among European states, with King Leopold II acquiring a vast territory which he named the Congo Free State.