The correct answer is B. Demand for rubber and Belgian debts led to the forced labor and violation of the human rights of the Congolese.
To arrive at this answer, we need to have knowledge of the events that occurred during the period of rubber production in the Belgian Congo. Here's how we can determine the correct answer:
1. Understand the context: Start by understanding the historical background of the rubber production in the Belgian Congo. The production of rubber in the Congo during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was driven by the demand for rubber in Europe, particularly in relation to the burgeoning automobile industry.
2. Evaluate the options: Carefully read the options and eliminate those that are clearly inaccurate based on your understanding of the context.
- A. The establishment of a company town by the Belgian Stock Company leading to a riot by the unionized workers of the Congo does not directly relate to the conflict over rubber production. Eliminate this option.
- C. The desire of the Congolese to maintain control of their rubber production leading to an international war between Belgium and the Congo seems unlikely, as the power dynamics between Belgium and the Congo were heavily skewed in favor of Belgium. Eliminate this option.
- D. The creation of a Belgium Free State for the purposes of farming rubber trees causing the Congolese palm oil business to deteriorate does not accurately capture the conflict arising from rubber production. Eliminate this option.
3. Analyze the remaining options: Among the remaining options, option B, which states that demand for rubber and Belgian debts led to the forced labor and violation of the human rights of the Congolese, aligns with historical facts. The rubber production in the Belgian Congo was infamous for its brutal treatment of Congolese workers, who faced forced labor, violence, and cruel punishments imposed by Belgian authorities to extract rubber.
4. Determine the correct answer: Based on the analysis, option B is the most accurate choice and identifies the conflict that arose over rubber production in the Belgian Congo.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. Demand for rubber and Belgian debts led to the forced labor and violation of the human rights of the Congolese.