Belgium – one of the youngest European states, formed from the southern part of the Congress of Vienna created the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Got its name in memory of the Provincia Belgica Romans, to the territory of which it is largely owned.

In its current composition of Belgium includes almost all the Austrian Netherlands with the counties of Flanders, Gennegau, Namur and part of the Duchy of Brabant, Limburg and Luxembourg, as well as the former Bishopric of Liège.

Ancient and medieval periods. Although Belgium as an independent state was formed in 1830, the history of peoples who inhabited the southern Netherlands, is rooted in the period of ancient Rome. In 57 BC Julius Caesar used the name “Gallium Belgika” to indicate they had won territory sandwiched between the North Sea and the rivers Waal, Rhine, Marne and Seine. They lived Celtic tribes that have had a fierce resistance to the Romans. The most famous and numerous tribe was belg. After the bloody wars of the earth Belgo were finally conquered by the Romans (51 BC) and became part of the Roman Empire. The Roman conquerors introduced into circulation among Belgo Latin language, legal system based on Roman law, but in the end 2. this territory spread Christianity.

In connection with the decline of the Roman Empire in 3-4 centuries. Belgo lands were seized by Germanic tribes francs. The Franks settled mostly north of the country, beginning the linguistic division between the groups of Germanic and Romance origin. This border, stretching from Cologne to Boulogne-sur-Mer, remained virtually unchanged to this day. To the north of the line formed by the Flemish – the people, related by language and culture of the Netherlanders, and to the south – Walloons, similar in origin and language of the French. State francs reached its peak during the 46-year reign of Charlemagne (768-814). After his death, the treaty of Verdun 843, the Carolingian Empire was divided into three parts. The middle part inherited Louis Lothar, retaining the imperial title, included, in addition to Italy and Burgundy, all the historical lands of the Netherlands. After the death of Lothar empire gradually broke up into many independent feudal estates, the most significant of them were in the north county of Flanders, the Duchy of Brabant and the Bishopric of Liege. Their vulnerable position between the French and the Germanic powers, which were formed by 11. Played a significant if not decisive role in their subsequent development. Flanders restrained the French threat to the south, Brabant directed efforts to the conquest of the Rhine trade zone and actively participated in international trade of Flanders.

In the constant struggle against foreign intervention and the vassal state of the Germanic emperors of Flanders and Brabant in 1337 formed an alliance, which provided the basis for further consolidation of Netherlands land.

In the 13-14 centuries. in the Southern Netherlands of the city grew rapidly, developed commodity economy and foreign trade. Such large rich cities like Bruges, Ghent, Ypres, Dinant and Namur, as a result of persistent struggle against the feudal lords became self-governing communes. With the growth of cities increased demand for food, agriculture became a trademark, expanded crop area, started work on land reclamation and exacerbated social stratification among the peasantry.

Burgundy era. In 1369 Philip of Burgundy entered into union with the daughter of the Count of Flanders. This led to extend the authority of Burgundy in Flanders. Since that time and 1543, when Gelderland joined the Netherlands, the Dukes of Burgundy and their Habsburg successors extended their power to a growing number of provinces in the Netherlands. Had become more centralized, weakened the power of cities, communes, thrive, art, architecture and science. Philip the Fair (1419-1467) virtually reunified land within the borders of Lorraine 9. Burgundy became a major rival of France, but in the end of 15 century. even surpassed it as the only daughter of Charles the Bold, Mary of Burgundy, is married to Maximilian of Habsburg, the son of Holy Roman Emperor. Their son took a wife, heiress to the throne of Spain, and grandson, Charles V, was Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, France, he has surrounded his vast holdings, which included the Belgian province. Charles V, who ruled the Netherlands from 1506 to 1555, forced the French king to cede him in 1526 a fifth of Flanders and Artois, and eventually joined the Netherlands under the rule of one dynasty, and to incorporate in the 1523-1543 Utrecht, Overijssel, Groningen, Drenthe and Gelderland. By agreement of Augsburg in 1548 and the “Pragmatic Sanction” 1549, he united the 17 provinces of the Netherlands into an independent unit within the Holy Roman Empire.

Spanish period. While Augsburg agreement and united Netherlands, liberating the province from direct imperial subjugation, the strong centrifugal tendencies that have taken place in the Netherlands, and the new policy of Philip II of Spain, to whom Charles V in 1555, abdicated, hampered the development of a single coherent state. Already under Charles V unfolded religious and political struggle between the Protestant north and Catholic south, but laws passed by Philip II against heretics, touched various segments of the population of the Netherlands. Calvinist sermons priests have attracted more and more people began openly against the Catholic Church, which accused of abuses and robbing people. Splendor and idleness of the royal court, with residence in Ghent and Brussels, caused dissatisfaction burghers. Attempts by Philip II to suppress the freedom and privileges of cities and manage them with the help of foreign officials, such as his chief advisor Cardinal Granvella upset the Netherlands nobility, among whom were subject to Lutheranism and Calvinism. When in 1567 Philip sent the Duke of Alba to the Netherlands to suppress his opponents, a rebellion broke out in the north of the opposition of the nobility, led by Prince William of Orange, who declared himself the protector of the northern provinces. The long and bitter struggle against foreign domination failed to yuzhnoniderlandskih provinces: they capitulated to Philip II and remained under the authority of the Spanish crown and the Catholic Church, as Flanders and Brabant in the end obey the Spaniards, which was enshrined Arrasskoy union in 1579. Seceded seven northern provinces in response to this act signed the text of the Utrecht Union (1579), declaring themselves independent. After the deposition of Philip II (1581) there lies the Republic of United Provinces.

From 1579 until the peace treaty of Utrecht, 1713, while the Republic of United Provinces of European wars on land and on sea fought against Spain, England and France, the southern provinces have sought to avoid dependence on government Spanish Hapsburgs, the French and Dutch. In 1579, they recognized their sovereign, Philip II, but insisted on the internal political autonomy. First, the Spanish Netherlands (both are now known as the southern provinces) have been transformed into the Spanish protectorate. Provinces retain their privileges, the field acting executive boards, which are subordinate to the viceroy of Philip II, Alexander Farnese.

During the reign of Philip II’s daughter Isabella and her husband, Archduke Albert of Hapsburg, which began in 1598, the Spanish Netherlands was a separate country, bound by dynastic ties with Spain. After the death of Albert and Isabella, who had no heirs, the area is back under the authority of the Spanish king. Spanish patronage and power in the 17 century, provides neither security nor prosperity. For a long time Spanish Netherlands served as an arena of struggle of the Habsburgs and the Bourbons. In 1648 at the Peace of Westphalia Spain ceded part of Flanders, Brabant and Limburg in favor of the United Provinces and agreed to the closure of the mouth of the river Scheldt in Antwerp by virtually ceased to exist as a seaport and commercial center. In the wars against France in the second half of the 17 century. Spain has lost some of the southern border areas of the Spanish Netherlands, giving them Louis XIV. During the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713), the southern provinces have become an arena of military operations. Louis XIV has strived to conquer these territories, but in fact for several years (until the conclusion of the Treaty of Utrecht) they were under the authority of the United Provinces and England.

Section of the Netherlands in the late 16 century. strengthened the political, religious, cultural and economic demarcation between north and south. While many wars ruined the south continued to be under the authority of the Spanish Habsburgs and the Catholic Church, an independent north, convert to Calvinism, with its social and cultural values and traditions and has experienced rapid economic growth. For a long time there was a language difference between the northern provinces, where it was said in the Netherlands language, and the South, where speaking French. However, the political border between the Spanish Netherlands and the United Provinces held north of the linguistic border. Most of the population of the southern provinces of Flanders and Brabant spoke Flemish, the dialect of the language of the Netherlands, which has become even more different from the language of the Netherlands after the political, and hence the cultural department. Business Spanish Netherlands, came in full decline, to destroy all the economic ties, the once flourishing city of Flanders have been abandoned. These were the darkest times in history.

Austrian period. The peace of Utrecht 1713, the Spanish Netherlands were ceded to the Austrian Hapsburgs and Charles VI became known as the Austrian Netherlands. At the same time, the United Provinces have the right to hold them eight forts on the border with France. Transition of the Southern Netherlands to Austria, has changed relatively little in the life of the provinces: continued existence of national autonomy and the traditional institutions of the local nobility. Neither Charles VI, or Maria Theresa, succeeded to the throne in 1740, never visited the Austrian Netherlands. They ruled through provincial governors in Brussels, just as did the Spanish kings. But this land is still being territorial claims of France and the place of trade competition between Britain and the United Provinces.

To revitalize the exhausted economy Austrian Netherlands have done some – most notable was the creation in 1722 the East India Company, which undertook 12 expeditions to India and China, but because of competition from Dutch and English East India Company, and pressure from governments both countries in 1731 was dissolved. Joseph II, eldest son of Maria Theresa, came to the throne in 1780, made several attempts to reform the system of internal control, as well as reforms in law, social policy, education and the church. However, the vigorous reforms of Joseph II were doomed to failure. The desire of the Emperor to the rigid centralization and the desire to go ahead in achieving its objectives have led to the rising resistance to reform from different segments of the population. Religious Reforms of Joseph II, undermine the foundations of the dominant Catholic Church, aroused opposition throughout the 1780’s, and his transformation of the administrative system in 1787, which were to deprive the inhabitants of the country’s local government institutions and national autonomy, was the spark that led to the revolution.

Brabant and Hainaut in 1788 refused to pay taxes to the Austrians, and the following year broke a general uprising, the so-called Brabant Revolution. In August 1789 the people of Brabant revolted against the Austrian authorities, and as a result, in December 1789 by the Austrians was released almost the whole of the Belgian provinces. In January 1790 the National Congress proclaimed an independent state of the United Belgian States. However, the new government made up of representatives of a conservative aristocratic party “nootistov”, enjoyed the support of the Catholic clergy, was overthrown Leopold II, who in February 1790 became emperor after the death of his brother Joseph II.

French period. Belgians, who ruled by foreigners again, look forward to the development of the revolution in France. However, they were disappointed when after a long Austro-French rivalry (the Belgians were on the side of the French), Belgian province (October 1795) were included in France. Thus began a period of 20 years of French rule.

While the reforms of Napoleon and had a positive impact on the economy of the Belgian provinces (the abolition of internal customs and the elimination of shops, out of Belgian products in the French market), continuous war, accompanied by recruiting appeals, and tax increases caused widespread discontent of the Belgians, and striving for national independence fueled anti-French mood. However, the relatively short period of French rule played a very important role in moving towards independence of Belgium. The main achievement of this period was the destruction of caste and feudal system, the introduction of the progressive French legislation, administrative and judicial device. The French proclaimed the freedom of navigation on the Scheldt, which was closed for 144 years.

Belgian province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. After the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815 by the will of the heads of the victorious powers, who gathered at the Congress of Vienna, all the historical province of the Netherlands were united in a large buffer state Kingdom of the Netherlands. His task was to prevent a possible French expansion. Son of the last stathaudera United Provinces of William V, Prince William of Orange was proclaimed sovereign of the Netherlands under the name of the Emperor William I.

Union with the Netherlands has provided some economic benefits to the southern provinces. More advanced agriculture in Flanders and Brabant and prosperous industrial city of Wallonia, developed by the Netherlands maritime trade, which resulted in the southerners have access to markets in the overseas colonies of the metropolis. But overall, the Netherlands Government has pursued economic policies solely in the interests of the northern part of the country. While in the southern provinces inhabited by at least 50% of the population than in the north, they had an equal number of representatives in the General States, and they were granted a small number of military, diplomatic and ministerial posts. Short-sighted policy of the Protestant King William I in the field of religion and education, which included the provision of equality of all confessions and a system of secular primary education, has caused resentment of the Catholic south. In addition, the official language of the country was the Netherlands, was introduced strict censorship and banned the establishment of various organizations and associations. Several new state laws has caused widespread discontent population of the southern provinces. Flemish merchants resented the advantages that have their Dutch colleagues. Resentment further showed Walloon industrialists feel slighted by the Netherlands laws that could protect infant industries from competition.

In 1828 two major Belgian parties, Catholics and liberals, pushed the policy of William I, formed a united national front. This alliance, known as “unionism” is maintained for almost 20 years and has become the main engine of the struggle for independence.

Independent States: 1830-1847. The July Revolution of 1830 in France inspired the Belgians. August 25, 1830 began a series of natural antigollandskih performances in Brussels and Liege, which then quickly spread throughout the south. First, not all Belgians are in favor of full political separation from the Netherlands, and some like that, instead of William I became king, his son, popular among the people the Prince of Orange, while others require only administrative autonomy. However, the growing influence of French liberalism and Brabant national spirit, as well as harsh military action and reprisals Wilhelm I changed the situation.

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