1830 to 1908
A “diplomatic conference” on the future of Belgium opened in London on the November 4th. Whoever was considered the most powerful countries recognized Belgium as an independent state and not part of Netherlands. Leopold I of Saxe-Coburg became the first King of the Belgians (1831 - 1865). In 1865, he was taken over by his son, Leopold II (1865 - 1909). Under their government, Belgium became the second most important industrial power of the time. Both kings wanted to protect Belgium's economic independence by encouraging colonial expeditions, but they were not successful until the end of the 19th century. It was at this time that Leopold II backed expeditions by Henry Stanley to the Congo basin. He entered into agreements with indigenous rulers which resulted in a confederation of states. At first, the Belgian government and parliament had no part in the king's operations. Since Leopold II had been the first occupant of areas in Central Africa, he held a strong position at the Conference of Berlin in 1884. His demands were met. In 1885, the Belgian parliament agreed that Leopold II should become the head of state of the Congo. In 1908, control of Congo was moved to the Belgian state.
World War
Even though the great powers forced Belgium to remain unbiased when it became independent, it couldn't escape World War I. The Belgian army under the command of King Albert I (1909 - 1934) wasn't a match for the Germans, it nevertheless could have managed to halt the enemy at the river Yser. Belgium suffered greatly during the war. The Yser region was laid to waste. The years after the war were very difficult. The international economic disaster made it worse for the country. When Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany, the dangers posed by that country rose again. From 1936 onwards, Belgium took a neutral stance, just as it had done before the 1914 - 1918 war, but Germany invaded again on May 10th, 1940. After 18 days, king Leopold III (1934 - 1951) decided to capitulate. This decision broke with the government. After the war, the royal question dominated politics. In 1951, Leopold III abdicated in favor of his son Baudouin I. This king reigned until his death in 1993. On August 9th, 1993 his brother Albert II became the sixth King of the Belgians.
A “diplomatic conference” on the future of Belgium opened in London on the November 4th. Whoever was considered the most powerful countries recognized Belgium as an independent state and not part of Netherlands. Leopold I of Saxe-Coburg became the first King of the Belgians (1831 - 1865). In 1865, he was taken over by his son, Leopold II (1865 - 1909). Under their government, Belgium became the second most important industrial power of the time. Both kings wanted to protect Belgium's economic independence by encouraging colonial expeditions, but they were not successful until the end of the 19th century. It was at this time that Leopold II backed expeditions by Henry Stanley to the Congo basin. He entered into agreements with indigenous rulers which resulted in a confederation of states. At first, the Belgian government and parliament had no part in the king's operations. Since Leopold II had been the first occupant of areas in Central Africa, he held a strong position at the Conference of Berlin in 1884. His demands were met. In 1885, the Belgian parliament agreed that Leopold II should become the head of state of the Congo. In 1908, control of Congo was moved to the Belgian state.
World War
Even though the great powers forced Belgium to remain unbiased when it became independent, it couldn't escape World War I. The Belgian army under the command of King Albert I (1909 - 1934) wasn't a match for the Germans, it nevertheless could have managed to halt the enemy at the river Yser. Belgium suffered greatly during the war. The Yser region was laid to waste. The years after the war were very difficult. The international economic disaster made it worse for the country. When Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany, the dangers posed by that country rose again. From 1936 onwards, Belgium took a neutral stance, just as it had done before the 1914 - 1918 war, but Germany invaded again on May 10th, 1940. After 18 days, king Leopold III (1934 - 1951) decided to capitulate. This decision broke with the government. After the war, the royal question dominated politics. In 1951, Leopold III abdicated in favor of his son Baudouin I. This king reigned until his death in 1993. On August 9th, 1993 his brother Albert II became the sixth King of the Belgians.