Colonial History
Austria: The Austrian Empire, unlike most of the other European Powers did not seek to colonize territories overseas. The Habsburg ruling family of Austria did not seek to increase expenses by attempting to colonize nations overseas when it had expansive territories within Europe itself through strategic marriages which allowed it to gain control of parts of Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Belgium: Belgium was formerly owned by the Netherlands and France, so when it was finally liberated it had to compete with very advanced nations, so it sought to imitate its neighbors and acquire territories overseas. Belgium only had colonies in Africa, mainly the Belgian Congo, valued for its abundance in rubber. The Belgian Congo was first controlled by Leopold II, known for his brutal treatment of Congo natives.
France: Still during the rule of the Bourbons, the French East India company held claim to Canada, the Netherlands, and some islands in the Caribbeans. Besides the Americas, the French also heavily colonized Africa, Asia, and the Middle East in places such as Algeria, Morocco, Vietnam, Tunisia, Madagascar, and Cambodia. France lost control to most important colonies through a series of wars and inner struggles between WWI and WWII. However, even today France still controls smaller territories overseas such as Guiana, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.
Germany: Germany followed the footsteps of other European nations and colonized parts of Africa including Ghana, Togo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Namibia. However, unlike France and English, Germany did not concentrate on assimilating natives, but when rebellions by natives occurred they were mercilessly crushed. Germany actually lost more money trying to establish colonies than actually gained through profit. After Germany lost WWI, its colonies were redistributed.
Liechtenstein: Liechtenstein itself occupies no overseas colonies since it spent most of its history being occupied. Liechtenstein was part of the Holy Roman Empire, the Confederation of the Rhine, and the German Confederation before achieving independence.
Luxembourg: Luxembourg does not posses any colonies, just like Liechtenstein it was part of other empires such as the Holy Roman, the Netherlands, and France.
Monaco: Monaco does not own any colonies. France held control of Monaco for an extended period of time until Monegasque royalty offered France half of its land in exchange for independence in 1861.
Netherlands: The Netherlands used the Dutch East India Company which conflicted which the colonial interests of Portugal, leading to the Dutch-Portuguese War. Holland was particularly well-suited for imperialism due to its leading skill in seamanship and shipbuilding. The Dutch held colonies in Asia such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan.They also held colonies in Africa and the Americas such as islands in the West Indies, Suriname, and Guyana.
Switzerland: Switzerland itself never owned any colonies but was an ally of France during Napoleon’s reign until its declaration of neutrality at the Vienna Conference.
Belgium: Belgium was formerly owned by the Netherlands and France, so when it was finally liberated it had to compete with very advanced nations, so it sought to imitate its neighbors and acquire territories overseas. Belgium only had colonies in Africa, mainly the Belgian Congo, valued for its abundance in rubber. The Belgian Congo was first controlled by Leopold II, known for his brutal treatment of Congo natives.
France: Still during the rule of the Bourbons, the French East India company held claim to Canada, the Netherlands, and some islands in the Caribbeans. Besides the Americas, the French also heavily colonized Africa, Asia, and the Middle East in places such as Algeria, Morocco, Vietnam, Tunisia, Madagascar, and Cambodia. France lost control to most important colonies through a series of wars and inner struggles between WWI and WWII. However, even today France still controls smaller territories overseas such as Guiana, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.
Germany: Germany followed the footsteps of other European nations and colonized parts of Africa including Ghana, Togo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Namibia. However, unlike France and English, Germany did not concentrate on assimilating natives, but when rebellions by natives occurred they were mercilessly crushed. Germany actually lost more money trying to establish colonies than actually gained through profit. After Germany lost WWI, its colonies were redistributed.
Liechtenstein: Liechtenstein itself occupies no overseas colonies since it spent most of its history being occupied. Liechtenstein was part of the Holy Roman Empire, the Confederation of the Rhine, and the German Confederation before achieving independence.
Luxembourg: Luxembourg does not posses any colonies, just like Liechtenstein it was part of other empires such as the Holy Roman, the Netherlands, and France.
Monaco: Monaco does not own any colonies. France held control of Monaco for an extended period of time until Monegasque royalty offered France half of its land in exchange for independence in 1861.
Netherlands: The Netherlands used the Dutch East India Company which conflicted which the colonial interests of Portugal, leading to the Dutch-Portuguese War. Holland was particularly well-suited for imperialism due to its leading skill in seamanship and shipbuilding. The Dutch held colonies in Asia such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan.They also held colonies in Africa and the Americas such as islands in the West Indies, Suriname, and Guyana.
Switzerland: Switzerland itself never owned any colonies but was an ally of France during Napoleon’s reign until its declaration of neutrality at the Vienna Conference.