The Western Front, 1914-1915

VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000> B. Europe, 1945–2000> 6. Western Europe, 1945–2000> c. The Low Countries

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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.

(See 1944, Sept. 2)

c. The Low Countries
1. Belgium
1944, Sept. 2
Brussels was liberated from German occupation by the 2nd British Army.	1
Belgium, after its liberation, was governed by coalitions of the main political parties, with Prince Charles as regent. Its major domestic issue was the return of King Leopold (deposed in 1945), which the Catholics favored and the Socialists opposed. On July 17, 1945, parliament passed a bill making Leopold's return dependent on parliamentary approval.	2
1946, Feb. 17
A general election gave the Catholic Christian Socialists the largest number of votes, but continued disagreement over the future of the monarchy prevented the formation of a coalition cabinet.	3
1947, March 19
Paul-Henri Spaak was able to form a coalition government of Catholics and Socialists, thus assuring greater stability in the handling of pressing economic problems.	4
Nov. 1
A customs union with Holland and Luxembourg (Benelux) became effective.	5

The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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