After Germany's defeat in World War I, the redistribution of territories was a hot topic. Belgium, despite suffering a harsh occupation for most of the war, received relatively little land compared to other countries like Denmark, which received significant gains despite not fighting at all. So, why did Belgium get so little?
Belgium's Ordeal During the War
Belgium endured severe hardships during World War I, with its lands occupied by German forces. When the war ended, the question arose: what compensation would Belgium and other affected countries receive? France and Italy were keen on punishing the Central Powers territorially, while the United States advocated for minimal territorial changes, based primarily on demographic lines.
Internal Divisions and Claims
Belgium was divided between French speakers in the south and Dutch speakers in the north, leading to different political priorities regarding which territories were rightfully theirs.
Some French-speaking politicians claimed parts of France, arguing they historically belonged to the Spanish Netherlands. Additionally, many in Belgium believed the Netherlands should be punished for its neutrality, as it allowed Germany to trade with the wider world during the war. This led to claims on lands that were part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands before Belgium's independence.
One noteworthy claim was for a part of the Netherlands that had no historic connection to Belgium—it was simply an added extra to punish the Dutch for not fighting. Some Belgian politicians also pushed for the annexation of Luxembourg or a personal union with it, arguing this would compensate for Luxembourg's occupation during the war.
Compensation from Germany
Belgium sought compensation from Germany, with initial plans to annex specific regions. Some extreme politicians and military leaders even argued for the annexation of German lands up to the Rhine.
Why Did Belgium Get So Little?
Several factors contributed to Belgium receiving so little territory:
- Unrealistic Demands: Many of the territories Belgian politicians asked for were seen as unreasonable. The Allies were not going to punish the Netherlands for its neutrality while rewarding Denmark for the same stance. The idea of annexing Luxembourg or forcing it into a union with Belgium was also unrealistic.
- Self-Determination Principle: One of the foundational principles held by the Allies was self-determination. The people living in the majority of the areas Belgium claimed did not see themselves as Belgians and would never vote to join Belgium.
- Internal Disagreements: Belgian diplomats often couldn’t agree on what they wanted, leading to excessive demands that annoyed their allies.
Final Gains
In the end, Belgium's gains were limited. They received some territories in Africa and a few lands occupied by Germans, as the Allies needed to give Belgium something. These gains included regions reliant on a specific railway, leading to some peculiar borders with German territory hanging inside Belgium. Additionally, Belgium received token financial compensation and was essentially told to accept the situation.
Despite the high hopes and severe hardships endured during the war, Belgium's territorial gains after World War I were minimal.
I hope you enjoyed this exploration of why Belgium gained so little territory after World War I. Special thanks to my patrons: James Bizet, Kelly Moneymaker, Sky Chappelle, Kitka, Anthony Becket, and Rod D.
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