History of Belgium

the First person in terrain of Belgium has appeared nearby 400  thousand years ago. From now on up to I millenary B.C. the country was invaded by the unknown extinct people. The gain West Aryan nations of Europe has laid foundation to change of ethnic composition and in Belgium. Its thickset swarty natives have disappeared, having given way high aggressive áëîíäèíàì  - to Gauls. About 300 years B.C. the Gallic stem belgov has definitively lodged here, having entitled the state.

In 57 year B.C. July Caesar has deprived belgov of independence, having switched on them in composition of Roman empire. As a result of centuries-old romanizatsii the local population has lost the tongue. Use included Latin speech, having formed a basis modern vallonskogo tongue of Southern Belgium. In Northern Belgium since III century of our era Germen began to settle actively. They also have laid foundation a Flemish nationality. So in terrain of this small state two tongues began to exist. In V-IX centuries Belgium belonged at first to francs, and then Sacred Roman empire.

Development of cities in XII-XIV has transformed centuries Belgium into a workshop of Europe. For possession it a long time France and Germany while in XVI century she for 150 years has not departed to Spain struggled. But already in the beginning of XVIII century the Belgian terrains became possession Austrian Gabsburgov. In 1794 Belgium was occupied with troops of revolutionary France into which composition it was included and at Napoleon I. Napoleon's lesion I has not brought Belgium freedom. In 1815 the Viennese congress has merged Belgium with the Netherlands, being aimed to make of them a barrier against France. In 1830 as a result of popular uprising Belgium was freed from the Dutch domination and became an independent state. In 1831 in the state the constitutional monarchy is intoned. The season of rapid development of the industry, acquisition of own colonys from now on begins. Two world wars have prevented such congenial economic development of the country. The foreign policy of Belgium in a postwar period has defined country development for many decades: in 1944 the Benelux countries have been created, in 1945 Belgium has entered the United Nations, in 1949 - became one of founders of NATO and the councillor of Europe. The entrance in 1954 in the West European union has helped Belgium to get stronger economically considerably and còàòü the favourable strategic partner.