The Rape of Belgium (French: Viol de la Belgique, lit. 'Violation of Belgium', Dutch: Verkrachting van België) was a series of systematic war crimes, especially mass murder and deportation, by German troops against Belgian civilians, many or most of them real or suspected franc-tireurs and other guerilla fighters, during the invasion and occupation of Belgium during World War I in violation of Belgian neutrality. The neutrality of Belgium had been guaranteed by the Treaty of London of 1839, which had been signed by the German Confederation (of which Prussia was a member). However, the German Schlieffen Plan required that German armed forces advance through Belgium (thus violating its neutrality) in order to outflank the French Army, concentrated in eastern France.
WWI: German forces move into Antwerp, Belgium
The Rape of Belgium (French: Viol de la Belgique, lit. 'Violation of Belgium', Dutch: Verkrachting van België) was a series of systematic war crimes, especially mass murder and deportation, by German...
Historical Significance
The Rape of Belgium (French: Viol de la Belgique, lit.
Events Before
The US Post Office begins parcel post delivery
The Bronx General Post Office (also known as the Bronx Central Post Office or Bronx Central Annex) is a historic post office building at 558 Grand Concourse in the South Bronx in New York City, New…
British House of Commons accepts Home Rule for Ireland (but the Great War gets in the way of it happening)
British House of Commons accepts Home Rule for Ireland (but the Great War gets in the way of it happening)
China's National Assembly opens in Peking, the first free democratic parliament in Chinese history
The National Assembly was the legislative branch of the Beiyang government during the Republican era of Chinese history.
US Admiral Chester Nimitz (28) weds Catherine Freeman (21) in Wollaston, Massachusetts
US Admiral Chester Nimitz (28) weds Catherine Freeman (21) in Wollaston, Massachusetts
US Actors' Equity Association forms (NYC)
The 1919 Actors' Equity Association strike officially spanned from August 7, 1919, to September 6, 1919.
Events After
"The Birth of a Nation" the first 12-reel film in America, directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Lillian Gish and Mae Mar
"The Birth of a Nation" the first 12-reel film in America, directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Lillian Gish and Mae Marsh, premieres at Clune's Auditorium in Los Angeles
French forces attempt to drive the Germans back into the Champagne region during World War I, gaining a few hundred yard
French forces attempt to drive the Germans back into the Champagne region during World War I, gaining a few hundred yards at the cost of 50,000 casualties
First military use of poison gas occurs when Germany uses chlorine gas against the Allies along the Western Front at Ypr
First military use of poison gas occurs when Germany uses chlorine gas against the Allies along the Western Front at Ypres, France in World War I [1]
First landings at Gaba Tepe and Cape Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsula by ANZAC forces during World War I
The landing at Anzac Cove on Sunday, 25 April 1915, also known as the landing at Gaba Tepe and, to the Turks, as the Arıburnu Battle, was part of the amphibious invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula by...
RMS Lusitania is sunk by a German submarine off the southern coast of Ireland, with 1,198 lives lost
RMS Lusitania is sunk by a German submarine off the southern coast of Ireland, with 1,198 lives lost
More from the 1910s
Hank Greenberg is born
Hank Greenberg, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1911-01-01.
Belgian mining law introduces a 9.5-hour workday
Belgian mining law introduces a 9.5-hour workday
First running of San Francisco's famed "Bay to Breakers" footrace (7.63 miles/12.3 km); Robert Vlught wins in 44:10
First running of San Francisco's famed "Bay to Breakers" footrace (7.63 miles/12.3 km); Robert Vlught wins in 44:10
The US Post Office begins parcel post delivery
The Bronx General Post Office (also known as the Bronx Central Post Office or Bronx Central Annex) is a historic post office building at 558 Grand Concourse in the South Bronx in New York City, New…
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on September 28, 1914?
- The Rape of Belgium (French: Viol de la Belgique, lit. 'Violation of Belgium', Dutch: Verkrachting van België) was a series of systematic war crimes, especially mass murder and deportation, by German troops against Belgian civilians, many or most of them real or suspected franc-tireurs and other guerilla fighters, during the invasion and occupation of Belgium during World War I in violation of Belgian neutrality. The neutrality of Belgium had been guaranteed by the Treaty of London of 1839, which had been signed by the German Confederation (of which Prussia was a member).
- Why is WWI: German forces move into Antwerp, Belgium significant?
- The Rape of Belgium (French: Viol de la Belgique, lit.