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Chapter 16 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The actions of King Leopold III during world War II was a big issue among the Belgians. The king was replaced by his son King Baudouin. The active participation of Belgium in the affairs of Western Europe and the European Union is discussed. Belgium started to decolonize Congo. The further split among the Flemish and Waloons along linguistic, political and cultural lines is also cited.

Chapter 13 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author discusses the details of the First World War in Belgium. British and Belgian forces resisted the advancing German forces valiantly. The war experiences of Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill are mentioned together with the experiences of such figures as Paul Nash, Harold Sandys Williamson and Erich Maria Remarque. The war's effect in Africa is cited. The use of Flemish language in the University of Ghent is also mentioned.

Chapter 6 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author cites the growing feeling of collective national identity and autonomy which unites the country against foreign masters like Austria and France. The author mentions that the assertion of rights by the guilds and merchants in the Southern Netherlands is so strong that acts of reform or suppression by Austria or France proved futile. Brussels is mentioned as the de facto administrative center of France and Austria in governing Belgium.

Chapter 14 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author cites the political divisions within Belgium and its apparent economic stagnancy during the inter-war years. Control of the government shifted between the Catholics and the Socialists. The Flemish issue and the rise of dual monoligualism are cited.

Chapter 12 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The political development of Belgium particularly under the Catholics, Liberals and Socialists in 1870-1914 when Leopold II was king is discussed. The development of the Flemish language as a co-equal of the French language is cited. Ultimately, Belgium was administratively divided along linguistic lines to accommodate the two linguistic groups. The Congo is also mentioned which includes its possession by the King and then by the Belgian state. Socialism and suffrage issues is also cited.

Chapter 11 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author discusses how the bourgeoisie class profited in the industrialization of Belgium. The author cites the dismal character of Belgian working conditions in the rapidly developing industries of Belgium during the mid-1800's. Women and children were exploited in the mines. By early 1900's, working conditions improved as real wages rose and minimal social services were introduced.

Chapter 10 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author discusses the establishment of the independent Kingdom of Belgium under a constitutional monarch. The government is controlled by the Liberals and the conservative Catholics played the minority. The monarch of that time is Leopold. King Leopold's use of royal decrees gave the crown its interventionist character until World War II. The city of Brussels, the showcase of the Kingdom, is cited for its grandeur.

Chapter 9 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author discusses the challenge made by the Belgian separatist to the crown of the Dutch Kingdom. A combination of British and French forces assaults the city of Antwerp to purge it of Dutch control. The Belgian National Congress had drawn up a liberal constitution patterned from that of England. Leopold of Saxe-Coburg was chosen as the constitutional monarch. The author also cites the creation of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as separate entity from Belgium.

Chapter 7 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The French gained control of the Southern Netherlands during the revolutionary upheaval of Napoleon Bonaparte. Code Napoleon was introduced to Belgium. Belgium experienced industrial growth, progress and an expansion of population. The author cites the promotion of French as the language of culture and administration by the French. The author also narrates the decisive war between Napoleon and the combined forces of Great Britain and Prussia which liberated Southern Netherlands from the French.

Chapter 5 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author mentions the creation of the independent Dutch Republic which is composed of the seven northern provinces. In the south, Spain was still able to maintain tight control of the area now called Belgium. This was known then as the Spanish Netherlands. However, because of the turmoil between the countries of Europe, Spanish Netherlands would slip into the control of the Austrian Hapsburgs and would become known as the Austrian Netherlands.

Chapter 4 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author discusses the rise and decline of the influence of the city of Bruges. The development of the city of Brussels was cited along with the many constructions done in the past which made it as an eminent city for the Spanish and Austrian rulers of the area. Ghent was cited for its turbulent church history and magnificent art pieces and churches. The author mentions Antwerp's rise to become a premier port and business center. The proliferation of Beguinages is also discussed.

Chapter 3 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. It discussed the role of the House of Burgundy in unifying the whole of present day Belgium. Charles V of France let his brother Philip the Bold of Burgandy marry Louis' daughter and heiress Margaret in hope that doing so would achieve France's agenda in Flanders. Philip the Bold's grandson Philip the Good is known as the Father of Belgium. Philip the Good's son Charles the Bold challenged the French. The author discussed how the House of Hapsburg became the link between Spain and Belgium.

Chapter 2 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author cites the occupation of Ghent by France in 1300. The Battle of the Golden Spurs on May 17, 1302 was led by William of Gulik and is aimed to overthrow the French from Belgium. France continued to launch assaults on Belgium until a pro-French Count of Flanders signed the Treaty of Athis in 1305. The author also discusses the achievements of Jacob van Artevelde, a unifying figure who opposed the French.

Chapter 1 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author cites the early beginnings of Belgium from the time of the Celts, Romans, Franks and Carolingians. The development of Flemish identity is discussed. The histories of the cities of Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent is cited. Iron Baldwin, the count of Flanders, is mentioned.

Chapter 8 of the book "Belgium: A History" is presented. The author discusses the Congress of Vienna which re-organized Europe after the disarray caused by the Napoleonic Era. The borders of the Low Lands were re-arranged as a fortification against resurgence of French dominance in Europe. Dutch Netherlands and Southern Netherlands were united for economic reasons. However, the union of Catholics and Liberals provided much opposition to Dutch dominance in the bureaucracy, military and education in the Union of Netherlands.

People that the author would like to thank for their assistance in the creation of this book "Belgium: A History," such as David Boileau, Vicki Horrobin and Healther Mack, are mentioned.

A preface for the book "Belgium: A History" is presented.

A foreword to the book "Belgium: A History" is presented.