Henry Stanly claimed the Congo in Africa for King Leopold II of Belgium. Henry Stanly was born in 1841 in Wales. He emigrated to the USA in 1859. He participated in the American Civil war and became a journalist after the war. Stanely travelled to Zanzibar in 1871. He organised an expedition into the African interior from Zanzibar. He found Livingston in Tanzania towards the end of 1871. He joined Livingston's expedition and returned home after the expedition. Stanely was approached by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1876. He asked Stanly to claim the Congo for him. His official intention was to westernise the area and bring religion to the people living there. He never mentioned that he intended to claim the lands for himself and Belgium
