The founding of the Belgian State in 1830

After the Congress of Vienna in 1815 the area now known as Belgium (except the territories of Eupen-Malmedy and Neutral-Moresnet) together with what is now the Netherlands and Luxemburg formed the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This state construct was designed by the great powers to serve as a buffer region between France and Germany.

But there was cause for conflict:

• The northern part of the Netherlands was generally protestant; the southern part (today’s Belgium) was catholic. The Catholics feared their influence would dwindle in the new Netherlands (for example in education: founding of the State University of Liege).
• The Dutch King William I was an enlightened despot. His monarchical style was authoritarian, civil rights were limited. The southern bourgeoisie was, however, deeply imbued with the liberal ideals of the French Revolution.

The ideological currents of Catholicism and Liberalism joined forces. A revolutionary uprising took place in Brussels in September 1830 against the Dutch King, and was quickly taken up in other cities.

On 4th October 1830 a provisional government declared the independence of the Belgian provinces. On 26th December 1830 this was recognized at the Conference of London. Belgium became a constitutional monarchy. On 21st of July 1831 the National Congress swore in the new sovereign, Leopold of Sachs-Cobourg-Gotha as the King of the Belgians.