The extraction of rubber from Central Africa by Belgium stole any wealth that could have been generated in the Congo for the Congolese population. Colonial rule during 1885-1908 stunted Congolese economic development, destroyed social trust, and prevented the creation of political institutions.Belgium was the obvious European candidate to run the Congo. For two years, it debated the question and held new elections on the issue. Yielding to international pressure, the parliament of Belgium annexed the Congo Free State and took over its administration on November 15, 1908, as the colony of the Belgian Congo.
