Belgium and the Franco-Prussian War
Though not actually a belligerent in the Franco–Prussian War (1870–71), Belgian society and politics were heavily affected by the conflict, and in particular the fear of invasion by either side. This paranoia led to reform of the system of conscription and a programme of re-fortification towards the end of the 19th century which would greatly influence the early phases of the First World War.
Initial panic and mobilisation
It was assumed by many that in the event of war between France and Prussia, an attack through Belgium by either side might reasonably be the first act. Indeed, in the early part of the war, French Marshal Canrobert brought an entire Army Corps (4 infantry divisions) to Châlons-sur-Marne in northern France as a reserve and to guard against any Prussian advance through Belgium.
So when news of the declaration of war was received, the Belgian government feared that it might be overrun. The gold reserves of the National Bank were hurried to the fortress at Antwerp before the news became public and the army was mobilised.[1] When this leaked out, it caused panic. Many military leaders feared that, even after the outbreak of hostilities, as both French and Prussian armies manoeuvred on the Belgian border, one of them would seek a strategic advantage by an outflanking attack through Belgium and most believe the army incapable of fending off any such attack.[2] Despite key battles taking place very close to Belgian territory, including the Battle of Sedan just a few miles from the border, Belgium was never actually attacked.
A possible deciding factor in the hesitation of both sides to attack Belgium was the British guarantee of Belgian neutrality issued at the Treaty of London in 1839.
Legacy
The Franco–Prussian War made Belgians acutely aware of the precarious situation of their country in the event of another war between the two powers. In the years following the conflict, there was widespread modernisation of the military. The system of Remplacement (whereby wealthy Belgians conscripted into the military could pay for a "replacement" to do their military service instead) which had been viewed as a crucial personal liberty by many Belgians was abolished and an improved system of conscription implemented. These reforms, led by d'Anethan under pressure from Leopold II, divided Belgian politics. The Catholics united with the Liberals under Frère-Orban to oppose them, and the reforms were finally defeated when d'Anethan's government fell during an unrelated scandal.[3]
Eventually, the military was reformed. The 1909 System instituted compulsory military service of eight years' service in the front lines and five years in the reserves.[4] This swelled the size of the Belgian army to over 100,000 well-trained men.[4] Construction of a chain of forts along Belgium's borders was intensified, and let to a series of very modern fortifications, including the so-called "National redoubt" at Antwerp, at Liège and Namur, many of them designed by the great Belgian fortress architect, Henri Alexis Brialmont.
See also
References
- ^ Ascherson, Neal (1999). The King incorporated : Leopold the Second and the Congo ([New ed.] ed.). London: Granta. p. 79. ISBN 1862072906.
- ^ Ascherson, Neal (1999). The King incorporated : Leopold the Second and the Congo ([New ed.] ed.). London: Granta. p. 78. ISBN 1862072906.
- ^ Ascherson, Neal (1999). The King incorporated : Leopold the Second and the Congo ([New ed.] ed.). London: Granta. p. 81. ISBN 1862072906.
- ^ a b Bond, Brian (1984). War and society in Europe, 1870–1970. London: Fontana Paperbacks. p. 70. ISBN 0006355471.