Descrittore

Termine preferito

Belgio 1940 (10 maggio) - 1944 (2 settembre)   Cerca

Definizione

Germany invades Belgium on May 10, 1940. Belgium capitulates after eighteen days on orders from King Leopold III. The Belgian government flees the country and forms a government-in-exile in London on October 31, 1940. On January 10, 1941 the government-in-exile issues a statement that declares all the decrees of the German military administration null and void. It also asserts the government's commitment to restoration of stolen property to its owners and to punishment of Belgians who collaborate with the Germans. The king remains in Belgium and is taken prisoner by the Germans with whom he cooperates. On October 10, 1940 the Germans ask for a removal of Jews from the economic life of Belgium. Belgian officials refuse to comply. The Germans publish anti-Jewish decrees and the Belgian administration helps to implement these decrees. Belgians are generally apathetic to the anti-Jewish decrees. Radio Bruxelles broadcasts anti-Jewish propaganda. Some radical right-wing Belgian organizations cooperate with the Germans and provide volunteers for the SS. On April 14, 1941 (during Passover) Flemish antisemitic nationalists, instigated by local German agencies, stage the "Antwerp pogrom." Then, May 27, 1942 decrees require Jews to wear a yellow badge. This provokes protest in some areas and some Belgians begin to wear badges similar to the Jewish yellow badge to show sympathy and solidarity. Deportations of Jews begin in the summer of 1942 and last until September 1943. Belgian activists, churches, and individuals hide approximately 25,000 Jews from the Germans. In addition, Jews are helped across the borders to France and Switzerland. Not all Belgians are sympathetic to the Jews. Some radical right-wing organizations actively search for hidden Jews and individuals report many Jews to the authorities. In the end, the Nazis deport and imprison 34,801 Jews in Belgium. Beginning in June 1942, Jews are also drafted for forced labor. Resistance movements play a big part of Belgian life during German occupation. There are numerous organized groups, some Jewish and some part of the Belgian left. The Comité de Défense des Juifs (Jewish Defense Committee) forms in July 1942 to bring the resistance groups together. Jewish resistance meets with some impressive successes, including an armed attack on a train headed to Auschwitz. (en-US)

Fonte

Encyclopaedia Britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences, and general literature. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1995. [14] p. 869

Termini più generici

• Belgio 1939 (1 settembre) - 1945 (7 maggio)

Termini più specifici

• Belgio 1942
• Belgio 1944
• Belgio 1941
• Belgio 1943