The History of Belgium
With the rise of Napoleon, French rule over Belgium became more constructive, including the revitalization of industry, with the opening of the Scheldt and the partial recovery of Antwerp. With Napoleon's fall, the great Allied powers decreed that Belgium would become a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, ruled by the pro-Dutch William of Orange. By 1830 the Belgians' patience had run out. Revolution erupted in Brussels and quickly spread across the country. William made a brief effort to regain control, but within a few months he withdrew. On 20 January, 1831, after centuries of external rule, Belgium was recognized as an independent nation.
The Belgians chose Leopold of Saxe-Coburg to be their first King, under a constitution that significantly limited the power of the monarchy . Under Leopold I and then his son Leopold II, Belgium flourished both economically and culturally.
Leopold II was succeeded in 1909 by Albert I, his nephew.. Albert's reign was dominated by World War I, during which most of the country fell under extremely harsh German occupation despite determined resistance.
The Treaty of Versailles
The ceremonial signing of the Treaty of Versailles occurred June 28, 1919. Nearly six months later, on January 20th, 1920 the treaty was ratified. Germany would accept the sole responsibility of beginning the world war, along with paying war reparations, totaling 132 billion gold marks.
I. Alsace-Lorraine, obtained by Germany at the end of the Franco-Prussian War, would be returned to France.
II. Northern Schleswig, after a plebiscite, was granted to Denmark.
III. Most of Greater Poland and Eastern Pomerania to Poland.
IV. Hulczyn area of Upper Silesia to Czechoslovika.
V. East part of Silesia, after a plebiscite, to Poland.
VI. East Prussia, Memelland given to France, later transferred to Lithuania.
VII. The German cities of Eupen and Malmedy, after a plebiscite, were given to Belgium.
The Post-war Era
Albert lived until 1934, when he died in a tragic climbing accident. His son, Leopold III took over the throne. Leopold III inherited the worse from his father, Adolf Hitler was in power in Germany.
Everyday Hitler began testing the limits of the Treaty of Versailles and the Allied Powers. Political parties in Belgium began flirting with National Socialism. The fate of Belgium was a question, would Germany full re-emerge? Would France and the United Kingdom protect her when the time came? Extrordinary measure would have to be taken, for war could be on the door step of Belgium's frontiers at any moment.
In the beginning of 1936, help was on the way, in extrordinary means...
...but for now, the Question of Fate began.
With the rise of Napoleon, French rule over Belgium became more constructive, including the revitalization of industry, with the opening of the Scheldt and the partial recovery of Antwerp. With Napoleon's fall, the great Allied powers decreed that Belgium would become a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, ruled by the pro-Dutch William of Orange. By 1830 the Belgians' patience had run out. Revolution erupted in Brussels and quickly spread across the country. William made a brief effort to regain control, but within a few months he withdrew. On 20 January, 1831, after centuries of external rule, Belgium was recognized as an independent nation.
The Belgians chose Leopold of Saxe-Coburg to be their first King, under a constitution that significantly limited the power of the monarchy . Under Leopold I and then his son Leopold II, Belgium flourished both economically and culturally.
Leopold II was succeeded in 1909 by Albert I, his nephew.. Albert's reign was dominated by World War I, during which most of the country fell under extremely harsh German occupation despite determined resistance.
The Treaty of Versailles
The ceremonial signing of the Treaty of Versailles occurred June 28, 1919. Nearly six months later, on January 20th, 1920 the treaty was ratified. Germany would accept the sole responsibility of beginning the world war, along with paying war reparations, totaling 132 billion gold marks.
I. Alsace-Lorraine, obtained by Germany at the end of the Franco-Prussian War, would be returned to France.
II. Northern Schleswig, after a plebiscite, was granted to Denmark.
III. Most of Greater Poland and Eastern Pomerania to Poland.
IV. Hulczyn area of Upper Silesia to Czechoslovika.
V. East part of Silesia, after a plebiscite, to Poland.
VI. East Prussia, Memelland given to France, later transferred to Lithuania.
VII. The German cities of Eupen and Malmedy, after a plebiscite, were given to Belgium.
The Post-war Era
Albert lived until 1934, when he died in a tragic climbing accident. His son, Leopold III took over the throne. Leopold III inherited the worse from his father, Adolf Hitler was in power in Germany.
King Leopold III
Everyday Hitler began testing the limits of the Treaty of Versailles and the Allied Powers. Political parties in Belgium began flirting with National Socialism. The fate of Belgium was a question, would Germany full re-emerge? Would France and the United Kingdom protect her when the time came? Extrordinary measure would have to be taken, for war could be on the door step of Belgium's frontiers at any moment.
In the beginning of 1936, help was on the way, in extrordinary means...
...but for now, the Question of Fate began.
