Belgian RevolutionThe enlarged Kingdom of the NetherlandsKingdom of the NetherlandsAfter the French defeat in 1813, the frontiers of Europe were redrawn. At the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) the European powers decided to merge the Northern and Southern Netherlands into a single country. In 1815 the Kingdom of the Netherlands was officially proclaimed. There were two capitals: Amsterdam and Brussels. The Prince of Orange became King William I. This lasted until 1830 when the southern provinces seceded., proclaimed in 1815, found itself in a deep crisis within fifteen years of its founding. By the late 1820s, criticism of the authoritarian rule of King William I was growing, especially in the southern provinces of the kingdom. Nonetheless, there was as yet no suggestion of a revolt in the South. However, the situation changed after the July 1830 revolution in France and the overthrow of the French king. Taking their cue from the French, disturbances broke out in the southern provinces. Militant young Belgian liberals made political capital from the events. After much hesitation, William I finally took military action, but by now the situation was beyond repair. In November 1831 the Belgians formed their own state. |
