Belgian Independence

Following the Napoleonic Wars of 1803 to 1815, the Netherlands had control of what is now Belgium as per the Congress of Vienna. Under Dutch rule, Belgium was part of the United Netherlands but the Belgians were unhappy as they had a lack of autonomy and there was a difference in religion between Catholics (Belgium) and Protestants (Netherlands) among other factors but religion and politics being key factors. In 1828, the Liberals and Catholics came up with a programme of demands and the association was called unionism. In 1830, following a series of incidents, a revolution kick-started in Brussels and the troops that he Dutch King William 1 sent were expelled on 27 September 1830. The rebels received voluntary support from outside the city. A provisional government declared Belgium independent on 4 October 1830 and a National Congress of 30,000 men who paid a given level of taxes or who had special qualifications was elected on 3rd November that same year. A constitution which for its time was very progressive was adopted on 7 February 1831. Back in 1830, a diplomatic congress opened in London which led to the great powers recognising Belgium independence from the Netherlands. On 21st July 1831, Belgium became officially independent with King Leopold 1 (who shouldn’t be confused with his rather twisted son King Leopold II) became King of Belgium. 21 July is Belgium’s national day and Belgium’s 7th and current king is King Philippe.