Belgium, Kingdom, 2 Francs – 1866

Description

After the end of the Neapoleonic wars, the Vienna Congress wanted to create a stronger buffer state in the northeast of France, and it was decided to re -unite the Netherlands in a single kingdom under the Dutch royal family. But it did not go well for the great differences between territories. The south was industrial and of a Catholic majority, and the north more dedicated to trade and a Protestant majority. The population was more numerous in the south, but were marginalized from the government. This especially affected the French -speaking Walona population. With the liberal revolution of 1830, it seemed that the time had come, and the uprisings happened in Belgium. The throne was offered in 1831 to Leopoldo who accepted him, becoming Leopold I. The throne was offered for being the British candidate, and not representing powers with territorial claims in Belgium (such as France). Belgium was configured as well as a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy, although until 1839 the dissolution agreement of the unified kingdom with the Netherlands is not reached. The official official language was French, but flamenco will take importance to acquire co -officiality in 1898. This liberal monarchy initially moved between the Catholic and Liberal parties, appearing a labor party at the end of the 20th century. The Berlin Conference of 1885 awarded the Free State of the Congo as a private possession of Leopold II, but the news of the hard treatment given to the indigenous people for the exploitation of rubber and the ivory above all, they soon arrived, ending this possession in 1908 With the passage to direct management by the Government changing the name to Belgian Congo. A 1919 commission estimated that the population was half that in 1879. In any case, with the beginning of World War I, following the Schlieffen Plan, Germany invaded Belgium remaining occupied the entire war. Belgium was in the Latin Monetary Union, following its emissions this standard during most of the time.