By 1958, colonial officials estimated that there were 175,000 people who could be classed as "évolués" in the colony. In the final years leading up to independence, "évolués" played a major role in colonial propaganda as they were felt to exemplify the success of the Belgian civilizing mission begun under King Leopold II. In particular, it was felt that after independence, the assimilation of European values by the "évolués" meant that Belgian civilian inhabitants of the Congo could continue to live in the Congo as part of a culturally European multiracial state. Over time many "évolué"s grew disillusioned with their attempts to assimilate with European culture, as it did not lead to full equality and the elimination of discrimination they sought. As this occurred, many became politically active and began pushing for Congolese independence from Belgium.