The German Invasion of Belgium during the First World War (1914)

What do you know about the German conquest of Belgium in 1914? The German invasion of Belgium (1914) during the First World War started in the Summer of 1914. According to the German Schlieffen Plan the German army of WW1 had to make a circular movement through Belgium to defeat France. When the Germans advanced through Belgium they fought at Liège, Halen, Namur and Antwerp. Furthermore Louvain was sacked and the Louvain University Library burned to the ground. Apart from the Sack of Louvain, thousands of Belgian civilians were shot by anxious German soldiers who were afraid of francs-tireurs (Belgian partisans). During WW1 Belgium was never fully occupied because at the Yser Front the Belgians fought on. How did 'Brave Little Belgium' fought during World War One?
History Hustle presents: The German Invasion of Belgium during the First World War.
Recorded in Fort de la Chartreuse (Liège, Belgium) in May 2019. Because I lost the audio files I wasn't able to make a proper video about it. Later I retrieved the files so here it is!
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IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org and my own.
MUSIC
"Exciting Trailer" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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"Crusade" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Devastation and Revenge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Dark Times" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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SOUNDS
Freesound.org.
Wanna join forces and do a collaboration? Send me an email at: [e-mail]

[@Batfan166]

I like that the fortress is not restored. I have a sense that the blood of the people who fought to defend it is still there and is a monument to them.-brave and proud to the end. Thank you for the video.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

Great video History Hustle! Can't wait for your WW2 Belgium video! Only mistake I saw was that Belgium gained independence in 1830 not 1930.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Let me tell you, where I was born an live right now (Limburg NL) was Belgium till 1839 and sort of German till 1866. Before that there was just Limburg.

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, indeed, an error that slipped through.

[@thejoker4573]

As a Belgian that loves war stories this is great! 🇧🇪🍟

[@HistoryHustle]

Great to hear. Have you also seen the episode about Belgian 1914 uniforms? Right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYSclZqCoZWXrck

[@thejoker4573]

@@HistoryHustle Thanks brother. I am binch watching these stories thanks for the good work.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@starlite-sw5wr]

Belgium deserved to be invaded for the war crimes that it did on Africa

[@bossmanfcktheworld-6632]

🍟?

[@lux_1223]

I am incredibly glad that I found this channel. I wish you the best of luck with your current and future projects. As many comments stated, your channel is very underrated.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, Luka. Great to have you on the channel. As always, feel free to share! :)

[@ccowman-eggert6198]

While I think we should never idealize wars, I still think it's important to learn from the decisions that were made. Thank you for putting together so much high-quality content on WWI

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching!

[@xBurko]

your channel is so good, you cover areas that don’t have many videos on already. keep it up :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Awesome, thanks for your reply.

[@daveanderson3805]

Another great video from a great channel Lots of details Loved it

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for watching, Dave, as always!

[@thinkersreasoning1575]

Amazing, I couldnt name a anymore underated KZbinr. You should have atleast 250-1m subs!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@mammuchan8923]

Always a treat to find a new video (although I think this is an older one that you mentioned you lost the sound but managed to retrieve eventually?). I know the war was very long and painful, but I feel like the atrocities committed by the Germans here in Belgium right at the beginning was one of the contributing factors to the “war guilt” they had to admit too.

[@HistoryHustle]

Indeed, this is an older one (recorded in June 2019). The sound was lost but then restored. I'm happy with it. Thanks for your comment and your patronage!

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Another great video Stefan.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@janherburodo8070]

Another interesting video, good job.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, Jan!

[@boudendevos]

Thx for making these...about our wee country

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@wallereportersurcheminsdet1951]

Realy nice documentary in a great place .

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks! It felt good to edit an on-location video.

[@lukavukmanovic5045]

You deserve way more subs

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. Like & share! :)

[@parmindersingh2558]

We love this channel of all history channels it's number one channel, you are very much honest guy. Let's all make this channel starting from a million subscribers to 10 million, he deserves all love of viewers.

[@HistoryHustle]

Cheers!

[@parmindersingh2558]

@@HistoryHustle welcome sir

[@lex1945]

Heb het geluk gehad, om tijdens mijn inmiddels 29 jarige werkzame leven als verzorgende-IG in een woonzorgcentrum te mogen en kunnen praten met zowel 1e WO als 2e WO veteranen en mensen die eea als burger meegemaakt hebben. Aangezien ik altijd al geinteresseerd was in beide wereldoorlogen, zijn deze first hand ervaringen van onschatbare waarde voor mij. 1e wereldoorlog veteranen zijn inmiddels allemaal overleden, de generatie van de 2e wereldoorlog wordt ook steeds ouder en ouder, en vooral minder..Stuk voor stuk waren het wel ontroerende verhalen, zowel aan geallieerde kant, als aan de zgn 'foute' kant.. Van mensen die in jappenkampen hebben gezeten tot holocaustoverlevers, van NSB-ers tot verzetsstrijders, en ook die van burgers, Engelandvaarders, etc.Maar ook ooggetuigen verslagen van soldaten die in Belgie aan de Yser gevochten hebben, de gasaanvallen overleefd hebben, mannen, die vertelden dat ze als 16-jarige zich aangemeld hadden voor het front in de 1e wereldoorlog..Voor mij een enorme schat aan informatie, en die me ook bijstaan tijdens mijn interesse en studies wbt de 1e en 2e wereldoorlog. Ik ben geen geschiedkundige oid, voor mij is het eigenlijk pure interesse en hobby. Dit soort kanalen op youtube en vele andere kanalen helpen mij iedere keer weer om nog meer te weten over hoe en wat.

[@HistoryHustle]

Wow, dat is echt enorm interessant. Mensen met dat soort verhalen kunnen me mateloos interesseren. Ongelooflijk dat je zelfs WO1-veteranen hebt gesproken. Die leven nu allemaal niet meer. En de WO2'ers worden schaarser met de dag. Welk verhaal staat je nog het meest bij? Ben wel benieuwd.

[@hair2050]

I’ve been a subscriber for a month or two. (Ironically a naturalized Belgian also). Just wanted to say that I like your take, style. Keep up the good work. 🤨

[@HistoryHustle]

Great! Thanks for your message. I did make an episode about the Belgian Army of that time. If you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYSclZqCoZWXrck

[@hair2050]

History Hustle great 👍. Thanks

[@jetzef]

Your maybe the best channel ever

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you very much :)

[@Exploring_with_Photograpy_]

nice video, im long searching for old history vids about the fort de la chautreusse. but i can,t find any old video about that fort or war of that fort.. if you or someone know some history vids about that fort, let me know. :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. Cant help you though.

[@Exploring_with_Photograpy_]

@@HistoryHustle yeah its hard to find... is weird because every lost building i was, i found always old videos or pictures from that time of that building. but fort the la chautreusse... nothing/zero....

[@adambartlett7955]

If anyone hasn't read "The Guns of August", do it. Basically it's about the first month of the war, thus Belgium being a big part of it. It's awesome ( and a little frustrating) seeing all the little mistakes being made that lead Europe into WWI and how avoidable it all really was. edit: Also if youre a real mad lad, research the Franco-Prussian War which gives soooo much context

[@Meulim]

try sleepwalkers by Christopher Clark, on how Europe sleepwalks into war... not such an easy read but very interesting imo

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting books!

[@Unther]

A cool video. Were you able to shoot on location despite COVID-19 in May 2019, so is it possible to visit this fortress? Will there be a follow-up-video on "Belgium under German occupation in World War I?" It seems there is much to tell.

[@HistoryHustle]

In May 2019 (last year) there was no Corona yet! And actually I already made this follow up. Please check: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGTamZ-Ofp2Zq7c and kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYCXoomXjNmSosU

[@Unther]

@@HistoryHustle Thanks a lot!! I need to browse more among your older videos it seems. :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, the archive is getting bigger and bigger.

[@TimDutch]

Leuke video! Wellicht interresant om een filmpje te maken over hoe de Belgen zich hebben voorbereid voor ww2 aan de hand van de ervaringen uit ww1. Zoals de fortificaties waaruit fort Eben-Emael vloeide.

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank Tim. Fort Eben-Emael staat zeker nog op mijn lijstje!

[@theodorossarafis7370]

You reminded me the old series the adventures of Indiana Jones talking about serving in the Belgian army in WWI. Very good video. Unfortunately in both World Wars the Belgian politicians underestimated the threat of a war and thus did not prepare accordingly

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@duncancurtis1758]

Despite being slap next to an unpredictable military nation since 1871.

[@joaquinpraveenvishnu8509]

Oh gosh I never knew how much Belgium played crucial role in the Great War. Thanks for the video

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you for watching.

[@joaquinpraveenvishnu8509]

@@HistoryHustle The summer of 1914 was the time when Europe committed suicide. I'm obsessed with the Great War mainly the road to 1914, the July Crisis etc. It happened haphazardly and ended haphazardly. Then there was this 20 years of 'peace' that led to a Second and even more catastrophic World War. We must not stop reading and studying about these two wars because they are more relevant today than ever. We are today so divided politically and socially on one hand with religious extremism on the other. Lets spread there words around!

[@CaymanIslandsballProductions]

Fort 2 is one of the Antwerp fortifications that still exists, the fort is located in the municipality of Wommelgem

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@niklasciccone2724]

yay finally another ww1 episode. And of-course with lots of detail!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HistoryHustle]

Cheers! Glad you liked it. Next one you will like also I hope.

[@niklasciccone2724]

@@HistoryHustle cant wait

[@wolfgang6517]

I have faith in our destinies; a country which is defending itself conquers the respect of all; such a country does not perish! - King Albert I, the Soldier King of Belgium

[@HistoryHustle]

He said that? Nice speech!

[@wolfgang6517]

@@HistoryHustle I believe it was in a speech to the Belgian parliament

[@wolfgang6517]

@@HistoryHustle Here's the full thing: King Albert I of the Belgians' Speech to the Belgian Parliament - "In the name of the nation, I give it a brotherly greeting. Everywhere in Flanders and Wallonia, in the towns and in the countryside, one single feeling binds all hearts together: the sense of patriotism. One single vision fills all minds: that of our independence endangered. One single duty imposes itself upon our wills: the duty of stubborn resistance. In these solemn circumstances two virtues are indispensable: a calm but unshaken courage, and the close union of all Belgians. Both virtues have already asserted themselves, in a brilliant fashion, before the eyes of a nation full of enthusiasm. The irreproachable mobilization of our army, the multitude of voluntary enlistments, the devotion of the civil population, the abnegation of our soldiers' families, have revealed in an unquestionable manner the reassuring courage which inspires the Belgian people. It is the moment for action. I have called you together, gentlemen, in order to enable the Legislative Chambers to associate themselves with the impulse of the people in one and the same sentiment of sacrifice. You will understand, gentlemen, how to take all those immediate measures which the situation requires, in respect both of the war and of public order. No one in this country will fail in his duty. If the foreigner, in defiance of that neutrality whose demands we have always scrupulously observed, violates our territory, he will find all the Belgians gathered about their sovereign, who will never betray his constitutional oath, and their Government, invested with the absolute confidence of the entire nation. I have faith in our destinies; a country which is defending itself conquers the respect of all; such a country does not perish!" This speech was made 1 hour after the germans invaded belgium

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@igorbrille8222]

@@wolfgang6517 you should tell the Congolese,they asked surely for the Belgian occupation

[@HistoryHustle]

ERROR: Belgium became independent in 1830, not 1930 of course. Check out the WW1 playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aF7Zh6SLj5Jsf5Y

[@Johnnythefirst]

6:26 That second guy from the left looking his murderers straight in the eye. What a badass.

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, I do believe it's a drawing instead of a photo.

[@Johnnythefirst]

@@HistoryHustle Really? Pretty incredible drawing then, but could be. :)

[@aidanforcetwo3592]

Belgium after WW1: Ok, we fought back Germany... Hope that dosen't happen again *26 years later* Belgium: WE ARE GETTING INVADED BY GERMANY HELP

[@HistoryHustle]

Yep, sad story indeed.

[@TBL-thunder-6]

it went more like "boom, germans getting shot, bridges blowing up, tanks getting blown up, green wolves everywhere", like Erwin Rommel called the Chasseurs Ardennais.

[@niklasciccone2724]

it would be really nice if someone could renovate that place and make it into a museum

[@HistoryHustle]

Actually the degraded state it was in, I kinda liked it.

[@samrugbyman89]

Well , i think it's then safe to remove the question mark ....

[@HistoryHustle]

I see.

[@bluedevil3765]

Fort de la chartreuse is a really cool urbex location but I think it's not very representative for a ww1 fortress (I believe it dates from the 1810's-20's). Fort de Loncin would maybe have been a better location to shoot this video.

[@HistoryHustle]

Fort de Loncin, perhaps you're right. This fort was very close though.

[@bluedevil3765]

​@@HistoryHustle I was there as well in the summer of 2019. Would have been nice to have met you and talk about history, although I'm not sure I knew your channel back then :)

[@sergeantmajorgross4461]

Could you do a video on Mongolian collaboration with the Japanese in WW2?

[@HistoryHustle]

That's very niche. Interesting topic. I did make a video about Mongolian history: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaWsoHqwYsxjbZo

[@sergeantmajorgross4461]

History Hustle Collaboration with the Japanese by multiple ethnicities is very interesting to me, because much of them saw the Japanese as a better alternative to the colonizers or Chinese, maybe you could just do a video about Japanese client states in general?

[@jrt818]

A teacher told me that her Flemish grandfather was drafted into the Belgium army in WW1. He was 12 years old and living in western Illinois. Not sure if his mother let him go. Always wonder why the Germans didn't go through the part of Southern Netherlands that juts down.

[@HistoryHustle]

I doubt they drafted 12 year olds, but who knows. They avoided the Netherlands, because crossing through Zuid-Limburg (South) it would mean Germany was at war with Germany and could be used as a spring board by the Allies. A neutral Netherlands wouldn't. Yet, in WW2 it was a different case.

[@ExploringAndMe]

I love that fort i slept there in a tent

[@HistoryHustle]

Cool!

[@kevinhekers2380]

A lot of belgium citizens where executed on the spot for beeing quot on quot snipers or scouts

[@HistoryHustle]

True, around 6,000.

[@utubz007]

Excellent and very interesting history lesson. Do you know of the WWII history, where there was fighting in a small town called Les Bulles. My forefathers came from Les Bulles Belgium. Perhaps near the time of the Battle of Rossignal ?

[@HistoryHustle]

Sorry, again, can't tell.

[@martinpatrick1746]

German rule in Belgium was very harsh civilians were rounded up and lined up and executed and whole towns were burnt down and houses were torched.

[@HistoryHustle]

Around 6000 during the 1914 invasion

[@johnryder1713]

België vocht terug met wat ze in elk klein land leuk zouden kunnen vinden, zoals de Milk can-honden die geweren trekken als een 4:22, en vragen zich af wat ze zouden hebben gemaakt van de Mechelaar met de SEALs op Zero Dark Thirty! Toch is hun weerstand iets waar ze allemaal trots op moeten zijn.

[@HistoryHustle]

Brave little Belgium indeed.

[@yohannbiimu]

Dutch artist Louis Raemaekers drew a lot of propaganda about the "Rape of Belgium" in particular. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts about him and his work.

[@HistoryHustle]

True! Read about this a while back.

[@thatrandomguyontheinternet2477]

Germany: So since Belgium won’t let us through well steamroll them Belgium: Haha dams go vrrrr

[@HistoryHustle]

Vrrrr 👍

[@brocktonma.1816]

Your English is excellent🇺🇸

[@HistoryHustle]

😎👍

[@kriegenjoyer6913]

3:22 i think him let him have it because they were falling back iirc

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply.

[@kriegenjoyer6913]

@@HistoryHustle yw you're definitely a expert so im not going to go akcutally blagh blah blah blah also love your channel

[@epictimluwel5383]

holy shit he mentiont my little city

[@epictimluwel5383]

4:15

[@HistoryHustle]

You got it!

[@gerrytaylor3432]

Great vid but wasn't this the greatest strategic mistake ever, the treaty of London meant the British would come into war on the french side which wasn't certain before.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for the additional information.

[@mathloxgaming8517]

wasnt it 1830 mr?

[@HistoryHustle]

I stand corrected. Already pointed out by others.

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

One question remains. Did the Germans asked Neutral Morisnet to give them a free passage to attack Belgium? :P

[@HistoryHustle]

Good question, can't tell yet.

[@igorbrille8222]

I had to google to learn about this 'state'. History is full of unknown. Thanks

[@pingunootnoot1165]

Ik denk zelf dat het beter had geweest als de Pruisen wonnen, dan hadden we waarschijnlijk geen tweede wereld oorlog gehad.

[@HistoryHustle]

Wat-als-scenario's zijn interessant. Met zijn vele ultrarechtse partijen in het interbellum in Frankrijk, zou het goed kunnen dat de extreemrechtsen - na de Franse nederlaag in WO1 - daar aan de macht waren gekomen met alle gevolgen van dien. Al twijfel ik of Frankrijk ooit in staat zou zijn om voor elkaar te krijgen wat Duitsland voor elkaar kreeg vanaf 1939.

[@chrishanzek8930]

You forgot to mention that Britain guaranteed Belgian neutrality and that is why they entered the war against Germany and why their troops were in Belgium.

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok

[@hendriktrappeniers2916]

you forget the 2 sorties out of Antwerp that the Belgians did during the Battle of the Frontieres and during the Battle of the Marne. The bound crucial troops that were missed during (especially) the battle of the Marne. Without Yser which the Belgians hold against all odds, the battle to the sea would have been lost. So I should say, you have to get deeper into your study. You missed crucial information about the Belgians.

[@HistoryHustle]

The video is an overview. And it is an older one. These were less detailed.

[@gillescardoen8996]

Ik ben afkomstig uit Ieper, boezinge, tot de dag van vandaag vinden we bommen op de velden en nu en dan botten van gevallen soldaten. Toen ons huis werd gebouwe vond men veel skeletten waatschijnlijk van een gasaanval.

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank voor je bericht. Ik was afgelopen week nog in Ieper!

[@wernergoetschalckx3793]

Why do you go so fast? You forget a lot of important stuff.

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@ralphbernhard1757]

GB would not stay out of any continental war which endangered their own grip on continental affairs. Unlike their government, who aimed to involve itself in *any* continental war, regardless of who fired the first shots, or why it started, most British civilians didn't want to become involved in a great war on the continent. Of course, London already knew this. That meant that in the leadup to WW1 London (the state) had a little problem: Which was that they (the state) had already determined that Germany was the rival in peace/enemy in war, but "the people" of GB didn't despise/hate the Germans (the people) but their own "allies", the Russians and French, the traditional imperialist rivals, whom they had fought against for centuries, and were firmly ingrained as "enemies" in the belief system of the people who lived in the UK around the turn of the century (around 1900). *And so "poor little Belgium" was born.* Of course it was a propaganda tool, set up after the Napoleonic Wars to protect "poor little (still in single states/kingdoms) Germans" from "nasty nasty France"... France was beaten in 1871, and Germany (in a rock-solid Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary) was now the "power" which needed to be "balanced out"...in peace as well as in war. *The propaganda simply did the 180˚ about-turn Jedi mind-control trick on weak minds :-)* "Friends" one day. "Enemies" the next... Right or wrong? London didn't care. The policy came first. Of course the above comment is no excuse for invading neutrals. It just goes to show how "wrongs" add up. Adding up "wrongs" don't create "rights". It just leads to what the Bible calls "sowing seeds", which all have to "reap" at some point.

[@HistoryHustle]

Let's hope we don't get another war that big.

[@ralphbernhard1757]

@@HistoryHustle Unfortunately the current Ukrainian leaders are propably equaly unaware of the strategies that led to their populations being "set up and sacrificed" by a big power, as Belgian leaders were in the previous century...

[@christianwouters6764]

The Dutch were practically on the German side. Belgian soldiers who escaped from the battles across the border were put in prison camps the whole duration of the war. So they couldn't return to their units. In Heerlen for instance there is a mass grave of Belgian refugees who died of the conditions in these camps.

[@HistoryHustle]

The Dutch were obliged, according to international conventions, to intern the Belgian soldiers. Returning them to their units would be an act against the Germans. Handing them over to the Germans would be an act against the Belgians. This is called neutrality.

[@duneydan7993]

@@HistoryHustle even as a belgian, I understand why they took such decision. From a belgian pov it seems horrible, trahison, etc... But from the Nederland's pov, would you really sacrifice your entire nation to war for some foreign soldiers?

[@capusvacans]

@@HistoryHustle Still doesn't explain the atrocious conditions that Belgian civilians endured during their stay in the netherlands. Economic exploitation, being housed in very cramped conditions, typhuscamps etc. It is when the dutch officialy lost any claim to brotherhood with the flemish. One doesn't mistreat ones brothers while profiteering from trade with their enemy. The idea that the netherlands was neutral during the war is only technicaly a reality. They were militarily neutral, but allied to money, and the money they could get, well, it came from Germany.

[@ratscoot]

Belgium wasn´t completely overrun by the Germans because the Belgians flooded the area around Yper. Theh opened the locks on the Yser river at high tide and closed them at low tide creating a huge swamp. The Germans never suceeded in catering the locks so it turned into a trench war

[@HistoryHustle]

True. Sure something to cover in the future.

[@treack143]

0:45 België onafhankelijk in 1930? Bedoelde waarschijnlijk 1830

[@HistoryHustle]

Klopt ja.

[@viagra4x4]

the germans where i little more "civilized" in the second world war if you can call it that towards the civilians.My grandmother was 14 when the first ww started.i had no chance to ask her anything about that period which is unfortunate

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, it was brutal.

[@CharlesvanDijk-ir6bl]

Colonial military doctrine fails vs a modern competent enemy. Fords were just something from a bygone era. The Dutch, French and the Belgians were just spiders caught in their own web. Once you lose the initiative you better sue for peace, it is the only option. Gerd von Rundstedt's famous words after Normandy: "Make peace you idiots!" It got him into the history books it also got him the sack.

[@HistoryHustle]

Not sure what you are trying to say. This video is about Belgium in 1914. What do the colonial military doctrines have to do with this?

[@roynormannlee]

Are we?!

[@HistoryHustle]

Sure are!

[@jotsingh8917]

When are you bringing something about the brutal invasion of the Anglo American killers and the BRAVE resistance by the First Nations of Lakota, New Pearce or Apache?

[@HistoryHustle]

What?

[@xavierbouchez9227]

Never

[@anonymousdetective3786]

Whataboutists: Bruh what about Congo xDDD Seriously, I don’t like seeing these types of comments of whataboutism whenever this topic comes out. You gotta admit though, the Congo “Free” State was really a 1000x times unbearable and tragic especially for the average African there.

[@HistoryHustle]

I can agree to this.

[@KR-jt4ut]

What a poor kind of "Detective" you are! "Congo Free State" was a personal initiative of Leopold Von Saxen Coburg-Gotha, who also happened to be King of Belgium. He owned it as a personal belonging... he got it from the superpowers of that time, in the conference of Berlin , 1884.... Belgian people, nor its parliament or government hadn't anything to say about it ... are you really a detective? Buy a book!

[@wastelandlegocheem]

The invasion marked many things but most of all, the risks germany took would often not pay off. They invaded belgium to get around fance's border defenses to takr france then russia like how Hitler later tried in ww2. And their attrocities in Belgium of course brough the UK inti the war, all of this in time for russia to corner germany n astria, the stalemate through the war draining the axes.

[@tubarao1143]

Poor Belgians... Would be easier just to let them pass

[@HistoryHustle]

Perhaps, but then they would be screwed after the war (considering the Allies would win). If the Central Powers won it would've been a different story.

[@rhysnichols8608]

Sad 6000 mostly innocent Belgians were shot, but few people know that the Russian occupation of east Prussia they killed a similar number of innocent Germans. There was no propaganda campaign about this though and it was suppressed

[@HistoryHustle]

Actually I read conflicting sources on this, so yeah, an interesting topic to discuss in the future.

[@Rosa01010101]

Around 1600 Germans died during the invasion of East Prussia according to one source I read, a lot less than the poor Belgians, I grant that, but that makes sense considering the Russians stayed there a lot less time and there was no “freedom fighters dressed as civilians” paranoia on the part of the Russians. I would not be surprised if I learned the Germans also exploited these deaths with morbid tales and higher numbers of dead for their propaganda machine by exaggerating them, a lot less successfully though (I am guessing if they did propaganda it was for domestic consumption and not to gather sympathy from potential allies or to get volunteers like the allies). I sometimes wonder if, ironically enough, it would have helped the Germans in the long run to be occupied, not try to hard to reach Paris or anything like that, let them come. Occupations almost always come along with atrocities, the extent of course varies but I have yet to hear of a 100% civilian casualty-free occupation. Even a modern and civilized nation like the US committed plenty of war crimes in the middle east. You simply mix lies with truth when it comes to the atrocities your citizens suffered, inflate the numbers, and voila, you have a pr campaign for America and other potential allies. Germany “suffered from success” having no territory occupied by the end of the war. All that did is make the French and Belgians cry for reparations (in some ways justifiably so, especially when it comes to the Belgians). I guess they didn't think in the long run or in case they lost.

[@Mrukball]

If Belgium didnt fight back then the world would problem be a darker place.

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@Mrukball]

@HistoryHustle if they didn't fight back then germany would have got thought quickly and probably would have defeated france

[@energybumpkin4484]

Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae -Julius Caesar Translation: The belgians are the bravest of Theo all 🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Plucky Belgium 🇧🇪 against an overwhelming force.

[@HistoryHustle]

Indeed...

[@ArMySOfAnGeL]

Germans shaffen das, never !!!

[@HistoryHustle]

I see.

[@Fylnnn]

It's so funny when Belgian says that Germans were so cruel n brutal did they forget what they do to the Congolese? It's even More harsh, what a hypocrisy

[@HistoryHustle]

Whataboutism.

[@KR-jt4ut]

Ah. Another "smart one" ....."Congo Free State" was a personal initiative of Leopold Von Saxen Coburg-Gotha, who also happened to be King of Belgium. He owned it as a personal belonging... he got it from the superpowers of that time, in the conference of Berlin , 1884.... Belgian people, nor its parliament or government hadn't anything to say about it ... Buy a book!

[@frankdewachter8438]

I don't know where you are from but the Congo in the beginning was the personal posession of King Leopold II, its much later when it costed him too much that it was "donated" to the country. Many of my family were born in the Congo. Although there were atrocities, the situation now is not good either. They always come back to this "atrocities", when many older Congolese think back to the good times when Belgium was administrating the country. Roads were maintained, public transport was functioning etc....Belgium is still helping the Congo. A lot of Belgians are working in the Congo as volunteers. My sister has lived in Bukavu for several years. I 've been there and in Rwanda and Burundi. A big chunk of the Belgian budget still goes to the Congo. I think the bigger hypocrisy is that the Congo is now colonised by other nations who are paying (bribing) the leaders of the country, from whom many are only interested in filling their own pockets. It is a shame because it is potentially a very rich country. And at the time that the Congo was a Belgian colony it was difficult to know what was really going on there. Kinshasa is 9000km from Brussels.

[@woodenseagull1899]

Germany's regular inhumanity to its neighbours .It amazes me how they are allowed to run the EU or run anything. So shameful are they....To ever exist. Grandfather shot in the WW1. Father disabled in WW2. Belgium _ I'm amazed you have anything to do with them for the attrocities inflicted on you...?

[@HistoryHustle]

Sorry to hear about what happened to your family. Today though Germany is different.

[@marleentaelemans1350]

im Belgium ant love from history videos ant movies can you play a game from ww1 like if you find the video cool I find the video cool everyone like bye bye bye bye bye bye have a dog

[@HistoryHustle]

Cool, thanks!

[@theapemen5682]

South-Netherlands :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Back in the day...

[@acesgames5318]

Not anymore since 1830 , sorry 🙃