King Albert

When signs of the First World War were first surfacing, King Albert was the ruler of Belgium. Despite being a royal, King Albert disliked the pomp and circumstance associated with his position as ruler of Belgium which was a neutral and sovereign European nation. King Albert worried about being drawn into a war and was determined to do his best to keep Belgium neutral. However, upon learning of Germany’s growing aggressiveness, King Albert ordered the mobilization of the Belgium Army. King Albert sent a letter to the German Kaiser asking for his assurance that Belgium’s neutrality would be respected. Instead of this assurance, King Albert received an ultimatum. Germany needed to protect itself from the French who planned to travel through Belgium to attack them. If Belgium did not allow the Germans through their country, Germany would consider it to be an enemy.

During...