Changes

Since 1944, when British, Canadian, and American armies liberated Belgium, the country has lived in security and at a level of increased well-being.  

Since 1944, when British, Canadian, and American armies liberated Belgium, the country has lived in security and at a level of increased well-being.  

In response to the German invasions of 1914-18 and 1940–44, and to postwar Soviet behavior, Belgium became one of the foremost advocates of collective security within the framework of European integration and the Atlantic partnership. It was a founding member of [[NATO]] and the [[European Community]], this anti-communism lead to many crimes being committed by the Belgian government, these included the shooting of Julien Lahaut, a communist and former union organizer, who had fought in the first world war, and was responsible for the strike of 100 000 against the Nazis, he was murdered on the orders of André Moyen, of the Belgian Intelligence services for his opposition to the monarchy, or the murder of Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba, who was a Marxist, and was executed by the government of the Katanga breakaway state with the support of the Belgian king Baudouin.

In response to the German invasions of 1914-18 and 1940–44, and to postwar Soviet behavior, Belgium became one of the foremost advocates of collective security within the framework of European integration and the Atlantic partnership. It was a founding member of [[NATO]] and the [[European Community]]. This anti-communism, however, allegedly led to the Belgian government committing crimes, including the shooting of Julien Lahaut, a communist and former union organizer who had fought in the [[First World War]], and was responsible for the strike of 100,000 against the Nazis; he was murdered on the orders of André Moyen of the Belgian Intelligence services for his opposition to the monarchy. In addition, there was the murder of Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba, who was a Marxist, executed by the government of the Katanga breakaway state with the support of the Belgian king Baudouin.

==Recent==

==Recent==

The modern Belgian social security system was created in 1945. Compulsory sickness, disability, and unemployment insurance was run by a national bureau of social security was organized, incorporating prewar agencies that administered old-age programs.  

The modern Belgian social security system was created in 1945. Compulsory sickness, disability, and unemployment insurance was run by a national bureau of social security, which was organized, incorporating prewar agencies that administered old-age programs.  

====Flemings and Walloons====

====Flemings and Walloons====

Despite the new legal rights gained in the 1920s and 1930s, many Flemings, complained about a second-class status in a country where they outnumbered the Walloons. Indeed, after 1945 they became more prosperous as well. Antagonism grew; the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium's oldest and most prestigious university, and the private Free University of Brussels were bilingual until 1970, when each was divided into separate Dutch- and French-speaking institutions following repeated conflicts between Flemish and Walloon students.  

Despite the new legal rights gained in the 1920s and 1930s, many Flemings complained about a second-class status in a country where they outnumbered the Walloons. Indeed, after 1945 they became more prosperous as well. Antagonism grew; the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium's oldest and most prestigious university, and the private Free University of Brussels were bilingual until 1970, when each was divided into separate Dutch- and French-speaking institutions following repeated conflicts between Flemish and Walloon students.  

Separation was the solution. In 1971 and 1980 the constitution was revised to provide Flemings with a greater degree of cultural and political autonomy.  The country was divided into three regions—Flanders (based in Ghent), Wallonia (based in Liège), and Brussels—with some devolution of power from the central government to regional governments and the ultimate adoption of a federal system. The regions control 40% of all public spending and control roads, urban projects, health services, the environment, and, especially, education. The regions also regulate industry; Wallonia operates the aging steel industry.  

Separation was the solution. In 1971 and 1980 the constitution was revised to provide Flemings with a greater degree of cultural and political autonomy.  The country was divided into three regions—Flanders (based in Ghent), Wallonia (based in Liège), and Brussels—with some devolution of power from the central government to regional governments and the ultimate adoption of a federal system. The regions control 40% of all public spending and control roads, urban projects, health services, the environment, and, especially, education. The regions also regulate industry; Wallonia operates the aging steel industry.