Hello. I am TheFlyingScotsman01, and today I will share with you the sad story of Belgium in my Victoria II campaign. Belgium was a lively country with a budding economy and powerful military. Then, for some reason, the world decided they hated Belgium and destroyed it. The British sank the Belgian ships, the Prussians and the Dutch destroyed their armies, the Luxembourgians revolted, Saxony and Brazil imposed trade embargos, Denmark and Sweden sent supplies to aid in the destruction, and Spain eventually just annexed it. This guide will cover this story in much more detail. So, without further ado, here is the story of Belgium in Victoria II...
Belgium: Prosperous and Proud and the Prussian War
Belgium was a lively little country located in northwestern Europe, along the North Sea/English Channel coast. It bordered the countries of the Netherlands, Prussia, Luxembourg, and France. Belgium possessed a prosperous economy and a relatively powerful military. The infrastructure was top-notch, with several railway systems. Even with all these things, Belgium was still very much at the mercy of its more powerful neighbors. Prussia, especially, hated Belgium and wanted its rich, fertile territories. As such, Prussian relations with Belgium declined until full-blown war was declared. Belgian armies crossed the Prussian border and occupied several territories. However, Prussian armies pushed the Belgians back until the front stabilized near the old borders. Belgium was winning, but that would all change very soon...
The Belgian Occupation of Luxembourg and the Foreign Intervention
The Netherlands, worried that Belgium might grow too powerful if it won against Prussia, declared war. Belgium responded by invading the country of Luxembourg, an important Dutch ally. The tiny nation of Luxembourg was disarmed and easily annexed. However, these victories would be short-lived as Dutch armies were soon streaming over the Belgian northern border. As Belgium moved armies to counter this threat, Prussians attacked again and overwhelmed the Belgian lines, killing thousands. In response to this, the Belgian government ordered a full mobilization, conscripting thousands of laborers and peasants and forming several new brigades. In addition, two regular brigades were ordered formed. Belgium was now several times more powerful than it was; this would not last long. Shortly after the mobilization, the nations of Brazil, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and Saxony declared war on Belgium. The Belgian populace now began to grow increasingly war-weary, and this was sped up by the fact that the Luxembourgian populace had begun to revolt against the Belgians. Belgium was rapidly weakening.
Belgium Falls Apart
Belgium was weakening. British ships smashed the Belgian navy in the English channel, and British troops occupied Brussels. Meanwhile, Dutch and Prussian forces were chasing away Belgian armies. Belgium appealed for help from Switzerland, but the offer was refused. The infrastructure of the country was falling apart; railroads and factories were being destroyed by the oncoming armies. Even worse, the populace itself was beginning to revolt, and Luxembourg soon entered into a state of full-blown rebellion. The army was beginning to disband and break apart, as disgruntled soldiers deserted or tried to defect to the enemy. Belgian and Prussian forces clashed at Antwerp, producing a rare Belgian victory; however, just a few days later the Belgians were encircled and destroyed by the Dutch. Finally, as the Belgian king abdicated, the country could not fight any longer.
The Annexation of Belgium
With virtually no army or infrastructure left, no king, and a disgruntled populace, Belgium had been brought to its knees. Spain sent an offer to Belgium, proposing peace in exchange for the loss of Belgian soverignity. The Belgian populace was willing to consider a possibly better life under Spanish overlords, and were not adverse to the idea. Spain had also said that failure to comply would result in complete destruction, so the Belgians said yes. Belgium's military had been smashed, the government had crumbled, the infrastructure had been destroyed, and the country was then forced at gunpoint to accept the loss of their independence. A sad story indeed.