Guy Vanthemsche est professeur d'histoire contemporaine à la Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Exploring the impact of colonialism, this book delves into Belgium's historical relationship with the Congo, revealing how the nation's colonial activities shaped its identity and influence in Europe. It examines the socio-political consequences of this complex interaction and the lasting effects on both Belgium and the Congo, providing a nuanced understanding of colonial legacy and its implications.
This book explains how and why Belgium, a small but influential European country, was changed through its colonial activities in the Congo, from the first expeditions in 1880 to the Mobutu regime in the 1980s. It yields a better understanding of the Congo's past and present, and explains how the imperial experience influenced Belgian politics, diplomacy, economic activity and culture.
The nation-state of Belgium, born in 1830, and the polities that preceded it, have played an important role in European and even global history. This introductory history offers an accessible and rigorous overview of this small but important West-European country, from ancient times to the present.