A Short History of Belgium Trivia Quiz

Answer: Taxes were heavier in the South ( = Belgium) than in the North (= Holland)

The 'Belgian' part of the United Netherlands counted some 3 million people at the {time;} the Dutch were only 2 million people. When it came to determining the number of representatives in the ' States General' or 'Parliament', King William saw fit to give both areas a fifty- fifty deal, which was ridiculed by the 'Belgians' as 'Dutch arithmetics'.

The French speaking part of what nowadays is Belgium, was still nostalgic of Napoleon.

Answer: Lord Palmerston

Lord John Russell was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1846 till 1852 and later again from 1865 till 1866. The Duke of Wellington was Prime Minister of England from 1828 till 1830. Palmerston succeeded to George Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen in January 1855. Until then his chief preoccupation had been with foreign affairs.

His approach was often diametrically opposed to the views of the court. Charles Maurice Talleyrand (Paris 1754 - Paris 1838) held high office during the French Revolution, under Napoleon, at the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, and under King Louis Philippe. Whether he liked Holland or not is immaterial in this.

It was in France's interest NOT to have a large neighbouring state as the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The country being split up in 2 or 3 parts was very much ok for the French, though if they could, they certainly would have preferred to swallow up all (or at least the French-speaking part) of Belgium.

Answer: Louis de Nemours, son of the French King

The Prince de Merode had been one of those who strongly encouraged the Belgian rebels to push the Dutch troops out of Belgium. Louis de Nemours born 1814 Paris, died 1896 Versailles , 2nd son of King Louis Philippe. Elected King of the Belgians in 1831.

His father Louis Philippe refused that crown in his son's name. Participated in the siege of the Antwerp citadel in 1832 when French troops helped the Belgians to get the last Dutch troops under General Chasse out of the country. Edward Duke of Kent(1767-1820) never was a candidate for the Belgian throne.

He was the fourth son of King George III of Britain , and the father of Queen Victoria. The son of the unpopular Dutch King would have been a very unwise choice.

Answer: Union between French speaking liberals and conservative Catholic Flemings

During the two World Wars the Germans tried to divide the Belgians by treating the Flemings better than the Walloons. Some Flemings were unwise enough to think the German presence was a good opportunity to obtain the rights they had so long been asking from the Belgian State. What cemented the so-called 'Monster Union' between Walloons and Flemings, was a common dislike of the Dutch.

The causes were different though. Religious differences mainly on the Flemish side. Linguistic differences on the Walloon side.

Answer: A French intervention army

Leopold I of Saxe-Coburg was on good terms with the British as he was the maternal uncle of Queen Victoria. But also his marriage to a French Princess (Charlotte) had some diplomatic advantages.

Answer: Luxembourg

One part of Luxembourg became Belgian. The other got independence. Still today Luxembourg is sometimes called the 'Tenth Province' of Belgium. Traditionally Belgium and Luxembourg used the same currency unit.

Answer: Belgium had no access anymore to the Scheldt mouth

Especially the Liege area had always been very active in the field of iron foundry and weapons production. The Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre is still today an important manufacturer of top class shooting materials.

Answer: Brussels - Malines

Still today Belgian trains have the British railway gauge system.

Answer: 1863

First the Dutch government had completely locked off the Scheldt for traffic. Under international pressure they opened it again but wanted a toll to be paid. In 1884 a landslide victory for the Catholics in elections following the so-called 'School War' between Catholics and Liberals.

In 1889, a series of laws regulating workers' housing, worktimes, and other social problems. In 1893 universal suffrage for men of 25 and over, but in combination with giving certain categories of people a plural vote.

Another milestone in the evolution of the Belgian state was the recognition in 1898 of the Legal Equality between French and Flemish, till then seen as a variant of Dutch. Nowadays the Linguistic Union between Holland and Flanders insists on calling the Flemish style of the language Dutch as well.

Answer: Leopold II

There never was a King Charles, but during World War II, when after D-day, Leopold III had been taken to Hirschstein in Germany and later to Strobl in Austria, his brother Charles was appointed as Prince Regent. Leopold II (1835-1909) financed the expedition (1879-1884) to the Congo River led by the British-American explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley.

At the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 Leopold was recognised as sovereign of the Congo Free State . He emphasized the need for a strong military defense as the basis of Belgian neutrality. Albert I (on the throne from 1909 till 1934) was a very popular King of the Belgians (as the official title is).

He got killed in a rock climbing accident at Marche-les-Dames. Many Belgians believe he was murdered.

His byname: the Chivalrous King. No King Philip either but the present Prince Philip, eldest son of King Albert II is the first in line to the throne. Second 'next in line' is his newborn baby Princess Elisabeth who was christened 9th December 2001.

Answer: Everything west of the River Yser

The Belgians managed to inundate the Yser plain and defended the muddy frontline that was created in that way. British troops took over in the sector around Ypres, historically known as the Ypres Salient. Most British tourists to Belgium are very familiar with the many war cemeteries in that area and will have heard of the excellent 'In Flanders Fields' museum at Ypres.

In World War II the Belgian underground army managed to prevent the Germans from destroying the port of Antwerp.

Answer: At the front with his troops

The Belgian government was in Le Havre; the King was with his troops and had his headquarters at De Panne, at a short distance from the frontlines. In World War II King Leopold III decided to follow his father's example and refused to join the Belgian politicians who had found shelter in London.

After the War divergent opinions on which strategy had been the politically correct one led to the so-called Royal Question and the abdication of Leopold III in favour of his son Baudouin.

Answer: True

On 8 November 1962 a new law was made that re-defined the linguistic frontiers. It re-defined the frontiers of some frontiers, "arrondissements" and communes. It was agreed between both sides that Fourons was to be joined to Limburg, and Comines-Mouscron was given to Hainaut. Later the francophones wanted to come back on the issue and asked for the "Return to Liège" of Fourons". Though Belgium now has officially become a federal state in which Dutch, French and German have their own territories, disputes are still latently slumbering. Main issues being the statute of Brussels and its periphery and the notorious 'Voeren-Fourons' enclave in between the Dutch frontier and the Province of Liege.

Answer: It got a treaty of military assistance with Britain

Belgium also was given back some territory that was traditionally Germanophone. This led to the funny situation that nowadays Belgium is a tri-lingual country in which the various parts of the population understand each other best when they mutually talk ..a fourth one: English.

Answer: Eighteen days

On May 10, 1940, Germany invaded Belgium along with Luxembourg and the Netherlands.The onslaught was so massive and destructive that the Netherlands capitulated after six days, Belgium after 18. France, which along with Britain had sent troops to Belgium, had to lay down arms three weeks later.

Answer: He was kept under house arrest in Austria

When the Allied Forces landed in Normandy, the King was taken 'kind of hostage' and kept in custody in Germany, later in Austria. After the end of the war, the government with which he had had a quarrel during the Nazioccupation postponed his return. The Flemings felt the King had done his duty by preventing more casualties.

The Walloons felt he should have fought on against all military odds. The French government had been furious at the King because the Belgian capitulation exposed the weakness of the French. Recommended reading: 'Sixty Days That Shook The West' by Jacques Benoist-Mechin.

Answer: His son Baudouin

Paul Henri Spaak (1899-1972) Belgian Statesman and Socialist leader. Held various cabinet posts after 1935 and served almost continually as foreign minister from 1938 to 1949. A moderate Socialist, Spaak was 3 times premier (1938-39; 1946; 1947-49)in coalition governments. Opposed return of King Leopold III after the War. Baudouin was born in 1930 as the second child of Leopold III and Queen Astrid, Princess of Sweden. Became Duke of Brabant on 23 Feb. 1934 when his father ascended the throne. On 29th of August 1935 his mother got killed in a car accident at Kussnacht, Switzerland. Taken to Germany with his father Leopold and brother Albert when the Allied Forces invaded Normandy. Liberated with them on 7th of May 1945 by U.S. Army.

The King and his children were not allowed yet to return to Belgium and stayed at Pregny in Switzerland. Spaak and Co arranged for Baudouin's uncle Charles, the Count of Flanders, to be appointed Prince Regent.

When the return of Leopold ultimately led to his abdication, Baudouin was put on the throne (17th July 1951). Baudouin's marriage to Dona Fabiola de Mora y Aragon (15th Dec.1960)remained childless.

The King's unexpected death at Motril in Southern Spain led to a massive popular expression of sympathy with the man of high principles the King had always been.

Answer: False

Polish, British and Canadian troops were involved in the liberation of Flanders. General Horrocks and Colonel Silvertop were among the first to reach Antwerp. The Ardennes and the Walloon part of Belgium were liberated by the U.S. Army. Other important top-brass: Polish General Macek, American Generals Patton and McAuliffe. Excellent war museum at Bastogne and on the Belgo-Luxembourgian frontier.

Answer: Women in general

It took women till 1948 before they obtained voting-rights. One of reasons they had to wait so long was that the liberal and socialist parties feared women would vote for 'traditional values' as represented by the Catholic party. This turned out to be incorrect in the long term. Another reason was the claim that women would vote for looks rather than for ideas or political programme.

Answer: Gaston Eyskens

General Janssens was the General of the Congolese 'Public Force' who told his soldiers after the Day of Independence: 'After Independence Equals Before the Independence', meaning to tell them they had to be as disciplined and obedient as before. Unfortunately, this frustrated them and led to mutinies.

After having played a dominant role in Belgian politics Paul Henri Spaak (1899-1972) became the first President of the General Assembly of the United Nations (1946) and Secretary General of NATO(1957-61). Gaston Eyskens, economist and statesman, solved the crisis about confessional schools in Belgium and accelerated the independence movement in Belgian Congo.

He was three times Premier of Belgium (1949-50),(1958-61) and (1968-1972). Wilfried Martens did even better and reshuffled cabinets till he reached a record of some nine government periods.

More on Belgium's politicians at premier.fgov.be-premiers-premiers (- meaning: slash)