What Broke the United Netherlands? | The Belgian Revolution Explained

Summary

The script recounts the birth of Belgium following the Congress of Vienna in 1815, where the Low Countries were united under the Dutch monarchy. Despite initial unity, cultural and religious differences, alongside economic grievances, fueled the Belgian Revolution. The July Revolution in France ignited the Belgian uprising, leading to a provisional government and a push for independence. The Great Powers' intervention, particularly through the London Conference, recognized Belgium's sovereignty under a neutral status, culminating in the ascension of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg as the first King of the Belgians.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Congress of Vienna in 1815 aimed to dismantle Napoleon's French Empire and resulted in the unification of the Low Countries under the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• 👑 William I of Orange became the King of the United Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, attempting to create a buffer state against France.
• 🌐 The United Netherlands was a divided kingdom with a north that was predominantly Dutch and Protestant, and a south that was Catholic and included French-speaking Walloons and Dutch-speaking Flemings.
• 🛂 The southern provinces were unhappy with the centralization policies of the House of Orange and the restrictions on their Catholic Church by the Protestant King.
• 📚 The southern economy was industrial and growing, leading to a liberal middle class that was influenced by French ideals of equality and liberty.
• 🤝 A unique coalition formed in the south, uniting liberals, Catholics, the middle class, large landowners, and the clergy against the Dutch rule.
• 🔥 The July Revolution in France inspired the Belgian Revolution, with the French-speaking Walloonians taking to the streets of Brussels in protest.
• 🛡️ The Dutch response to the Belgian revolt was to send an army to restore order, which further galvanized the Belgian desire for independence.
• 📜 The provisional government in Brussels declared independence and began drafting a constitution that included fundamental freedoms for the Belgian nation.
• 🌍 The success of the Belgian Revolution was contingent on the support of the Great Powers, who ultimately decided not to intervene against Belgian independence.
• 👑 Leopold of Saxe-Coburg was elected as the first King of the Belgians, with the condition that Belgium remain a perpetually neutral state.

Q & A

What was the primary purpose of the Congress of Vienna in 1815?

The Congress of Vienna aimed to undo the effects of Napoleon Bonaparte's French Empire and restore the balance of power in Europe, including the agreement to unite the Low Countries.

What were the Low Countries and what is their modern-day equivalent?

The Low Countries referred to the territories that include modern-day Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, which were united under the United Kingdom of the Netherlands post-Napoleonic era.

Why did the Belgian Revolution occur and lead to the creation of Belgium as a separate state?

The Belgian Revolution occurred due to a lack of national identity and significant cultural, religious, and political differences between the northern Dutch and the southern Belgian regions, leading to a desire for independence.

What was the role of the House of Orange-Nassau in the formation of the United Netherlands?

The House of Orange-Nassau, particularly William I of Orange, was restored to power and given control over the southern territories, becoming the King of the United Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

How did the cultural and linguistic differences between the north and south of the United Netherlands contribute to the Belgian Revolution?

The north was predominantly Dutch-speaking and Calvinist Protestant, while the south was mainly French-speaking and Catholic. These differences, along with the Dutch attempts to assimilate the south, fueled tensions and contributed to the revolution.

What was the economic basis of Belgium and how did it influence the Belgian Revolution?

Belgium's economy was based on industrial production, which led to the rise of a liberal middle class influenced by French ideas of equality and liberty, contributing to the revolutionary sentiment.

What was the significance of the July Revolution in France to the Belgian Revolution?

The July Revolution in France, which toppled the Bourbon monarchy, inspired the French-speaking Walloonians in Belgium to take to the streets, sparking the Belgian Revolution.

How did the response of William I and the Dutch public opinion to the Belgian uprising contribute to the escalation of the conflict?

William I and the Dutch public opinion viewed the southern uprising as treacherous, leading to a military response that escalated the conflict and pushed the Belgians towards outright secession.

What was the role of the Great Powers in the recognition of Belgian independence?

The Great Powers, through the London Conference, played a crucial role in recognizing Belgian independence on the condition that Belgium would be a perpetually neutral state.

Why did it take until 1839 for the Netherlands to finally recognize the independence of Belgium?

The Netherlands initially refused to accept the loss of the southern provinces and only recognized Belgian independence after a series of conflicts and diplomatic pressures from the Great Powers.

What was the significance of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg's election as the first King of the Belgians?

Leopold of Saxe-Coburg's election as the first King of the Belgians symbolized the formal establishment of Belgium as an independent state and was a result of British backing and the London Conference's decisions.