Guy Vanthemsche is Professor of Contemporary History at Free University Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). Professor Vanthemsche is also Secretary of the Royal Commission of History in Belgium. He is co-director of the Belgium-based journal Revue Belge de Philogie et d'Histoire.

'This is an important book that provides the first scholarly study of the impact that the acquisition of the Congo had on Belgium. It is an important contribution to the history of European colonialism, but also to understanding the contemporary history of the Congo.' Martin Conway, University of Oxford

• 1. The origin of the colonial phenomenon in Belgium and its main developments up until 1960; 2. The Congo and Belgium's domestic policy; 3. The Congo and Belgium's external position; 4. The Congo and the Belgian economy; 5. Belgium and the independent Congo.

Guy Vanthemsche is Professor of Contemporary History at Free University Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). Professor Vanthemsche is also Secretary of the Royal Commission of History in Belgium. He is co-director of the Belgium-based journal Revue Belge de Philogie et d'Histoire.

'This is an important book that provides the first scholarly study of the impact that the acquisition of the Congo had on Belgium. It is an important contribution to the history of European colonialism, but also to understanding the contemporary history of the Congo.' Martin Conway, University of Oxford

• 1. The origin of the colonial phenomenon in Belgium and its main developments up until 1960; 2. The Congo and Belgium's domestic policy; 3. The Congo and Belgium's external position; 4. The Congo and the Belgian economy; 5. Belgium and the independent Congo.

Guy Vanthemsche is Professor of Contemporary History at Free University Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). Professor Vanthemsche is also Secretary of the Royal Commission of History in Belgium. He is co-director of the Belgium-based journal Revue Belge de Philogie et d'Histoire.

'This is an important book that provides the first scholarly study of the impact that the acquisition of the Congo had on Belgium. It is an important contribution to the history of European colonialism, but also to understanding the contemporary history of the Congo.' Martin Conway, University of Oxford

• 1. The origin of the colonial phenomenon in Belgium and its main developments up until 1960; 2. The Congo and Belgium's domestic policy; 3. The Congo and Belgium's external position; 4. The Congo and the Belgian economy; 5. Belgium and the independent Congo.