World War II

Belgium was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940 (Belgium surrendered on May 28). Belgium was liberated in 1944 by British, Canadian, and American armies.

During the war, the largest known reserves of uranium were in the Katanga (a province of the Belgian Congo). The Belgian company Union Miniere du Haut Katanga provided the United States the uranium required by the Manhattan Project and the early cold war

After WWII

The royal question

A dispute over King Leopold III's conduct during World War II caused civil uprisings, and eventually led to his abdication in 1951 following a state-wide referendum. In Flanders they voted in favor of his return, in Wallonia against (especially the provinces of Liege and Hainaut; Namur and Luxembourg being split 50/50). Although he narrowly won the referendum, the militant socialist movement in Liege, Hainaut and other urban centres incited major protests and strikes. Because of the probability of the escalation of the conflict, Leopold III abdicated on July 16, 1951 in favour of his 20-year-old son Baudouin.

During Leopold's exile in Switzerland (1945-1950), Prince Charles of Belgium acted as the regent.

The glorious thirty years

The massive Keynesian politics applied throughout Europe during the period 1945-1975 has got particular influence in Belgium. After the war, the government cancelled Belgium's debts. During this period were built the well-known Belgian highways which are at night easily seen from space (because of their streetlights).

On the economic side, World War II marks a turning point. Because Flanders had been widely devastated during the war, and had been largely agricultural since the Belgian uprising, it benefited most of the Marshall Plan. At the same time, Wallonia experience a slow decline of its mining industries and it has never found a second breath afterwards.

European and international integration

    * Belgium has been one of the foremost advocates of collective security within the framework the Atlantic partnership (NATO). Belgium has been member of the NATO since April 4, 1949

    * Belgium is part of the Benelux since 1944.

    * Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community in July, 1952 and of the European Economic Community founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome.