TeamBelgium

Belgium

1901-1914 Belgium had been a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy since 1831. Leopold II - Dec. 17, 1865 - Dec. 17, 1909 ·  Founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State. ·Congo Free State was founded in February 5th, 1885. ·Leopold II was the private owner of the Congo Free State and it wasn't owned by the country of Belgium. ·Killed and enslaved millions of Congolese people in his tyrant like rule of the Congo. ·In 1908 the king unwillfully ceded the Congo Free State to the country of Belgium as one of its colonies.

Albert I - Dec. 23, 1909 - Feb. 17, 1934 · Resisted German movement of troops through Belgium. ·First country to oppose German expansion and began WWI. ·Never surrendered the Belgium military to Axis Powers. ·Took back control of Belgium with the help of British and French forces in 1917. ·Died in a climbing expedition in 1934 climbing the Marche-les- Dames.

Location of Belgium in Europe Belgian Colonial Empire

Major Historical Events: Germany's invasion of Belgium in 1914 set off World War I. Belgium refused to let the free passage of German troops through its country. At this time Belgium was allied with Great Britain and France.

Timeline:

 * 1885 Leopold II founded the Congo Free State
 * 1908 Congo Free State is ceded to country of Belgium
 * 1909 Leopold II dies; Albert I became King
 * 1914 Germany Invades Belgium ( Start of WW1)