Articles

Diplomatie en «Realpolitik» : Aspecten van de Belgische politieke en diplomatieke relaties met het Derde Rijk, 1933-1935

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Abstract

Although Belgian diplomats analysed the nazi-regime from the very first moment as intrinsically crimina!, inhuman, dictatorial and revenge seeking, they showed the nazis in 1934-1935 that dialogue was possible.  The nazi-diplomacy, with secrecy as a keystone, permitted some of the most important Belgian politicians and businessmen to meet the.
nazi-leaders without being disapproved by public opinion or even parliament.  This resulted in a «practical» way to improve political and above all economical relations between Belgium and nazi-Germany. It can be seen as a Belgian answer to the inability of France and Great Britain to force the Third Reich to respect the international security treaties which were to guarantee the sovereignty of Belgium.

How to Cite:

Convents, G., (1984) “Diplomatie en «Realpolitik» : Aspecten van de Belgische politieke en diplomatieke relaties met het Derde Rijk, 1933-1935”, Res Publica 26(2), 197-242. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/rp.v26i2.19238