Belgium was created by the British to prevent France having access to the harbours in Northern Europe, and in particular Antwerp (Anvers).
General De Gaulle, the erstwhile French president, used to claim that Belgium was invented by the English to annoy the French, which sounds credible at first blush. However, a little digging into the historical record shows it to be untrue.
Was Belgium invented by the British?
The great man was right that Belgium was invented in 1830 by the British (‘Les anglais’ to him). But it was not done to ‘annoy’ the French, rather to ensure that France did not expand again to the Rhine as it had done under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Why is Belgium called Belgium?
Belgium was a name chosen when the modern country was created, but it has a long history. It is originally a classical name, used by Julius Caesar, which continued to be used occasionally in different ways until the creation of the modern country.
What happened to the Dutch language in Belgium?
The French occupation in Belgium led to further suppression of the Dutch language across the country, including its abolition as an administrative language. With the motto ‘one nation, one language’, French became the only accepted language in public life as well as in economic, political, and social affairs.
Where did the Belgae come from?
When Julius Caesar arrived in the region, as recorded in his De Bello Gallico, the inhabitants of Belgium, northwestern France, and the German Rhineland were known as the Belgae (after whom modern Belgium is named), and they were considered to be the northern part of Gaul.
When and why was Belgium created?
Revolution and independence
At the Congress of Vienna, in 1815, Belgium (The Southern Netherlands) and the Northern Netherlands (Holland) were united to form one State. This new state was ruled by King William I. Although his policy was beneficial to the Belgian bourgeoisie, there was protest.
Did the British own Belgium?
Belgium established its independence in the revolution of 1830. Like the other European Great Powers, Britain was slow to recognise the new state.
How did Belgium became a French speaking country?
The tension between the two regions only got more intense after Belgium gained independence in 1830 from the Netherlands. French became the official language, which highlighted existing class tensions between the nobility (who generally spoke French) and the Flemish (who were seen as lower-class).
Why is Belgium not part of France?
Ultimately, the state of Belgium, composed of provinces of both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking people, gained independence as a buffer state between France and the Netherlands. French became the sole official language.
What’s Belgium known for?
Belgium is world-famous for its chocolate, waffles, beer, and its national football team, the Red Devils. Belgium is also home to NATO headquarters and to the EU Commission and European Parliament.
Who Colonised Belgium?
Belgium, a constitutional monarchy, gained its independence in 1830 from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. By the time this was universally recognized in 1839, most European powers already had colonies and protectorates outside Europe and had begun to form spheres of influence.
Why is Belgium not a country?
As it is, Belgium is no longer a nation-state in any functional sense, but rather a “federation” of three different regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Greater Brussels) and of three different “linguistic communities” (Dutch, French and German).
What was Belgium called before Belgium?
Belgium and Flanders were the first two common names used for the Burgundian Netherlands which was the predecessor of the Austrian Netherlands, the predecessor of Belgium. It is originally a Latin term used by Julius Caesar.
Why is Belgium called Belgium?
The word “Belgium” originates from the name “Belgica”, given by the Romans to the northern part of Gaul, which Julius Cesar conquered a few decades before the Christian Era. It is based on the name of the fierce tribes which they had to subdue in that area.
Does Britain still guarantee Belgium?
Belgium’s de facto independence had been established through nine years of intermittent fighting. The co-signatories of the Treaty of London—Great Britain, Austria, France, the German Confederation (led by Prussia), Russia, and the Netherlands—now officially recognised the independent Kingdom of Belgium.
What invented Belgium?
Belgium is accredited to several well-known innovations and discoveries that many people don’t know are Belgian, including oil painting, obstetrical forceps, and an encryption that makes wireless networks safe. Below is a list of even more Belgian inventions that have influenced the course of world history.
Why is Belgium important to the world?
As a founding member of the European Union, Belgium has always played a decisive international role. Belgium hosts the EU and NATO, as well as numerous headquarters of multinationals and major global players.
How did the French Revolution affect Belgium?
Ultimately French rule over the course of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars eliminated the provincial autonomy of the former Austrian Netherlands and served as a key force in creating the modern Belgian state. Economic conditions improved with the exception of the final years of the Napoleonic Wars.
How did Belgium became a country?
1830 Revolution
Belgium declared its independence from the Netherlands, and it was recognized in 1831 as a separate nation. For several years the Greeks had been fighting for their independence from the Ottoman Empire, and in 1832 the European powers recognized Greece as an independent sovereign state.
Does Britain still guarantee Belgium?
Belgium’s de facto independence had been established through nine years of intermittent fighting. The co-signatories of the Treaty of London—Great Britain, Austria, France, the German Confederation (led by Prussia), Russia, and the Netherlands—now officially recognised the independent Kingdom of Belgium.
Why Belgium is a country?
Belgium’s linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in its complex system of governance, made up of six different governments. The country as it exists today was established following the 1830 Belgian Revolution, when it seceded from the Netherlands, which had itself only existed since 1815.
What was Belgium before?
Belgium and Flanders were the first two common names used for the Burgundian Netherlands which was the predecessor of the Austrian Netherlands, the predecessor of Belgium. It is originally a Latin term used by Julius Caesar.
Was Belgium invented by the British?
The great man was right that Belgium was invented in 1830 by the British (‘Les anglais’ to him). But it was not done to ‘annoy’ the French, rather to ensure that France did not expand again to the Rhine as it had done under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Why was Belgium created as opposed to France and the Netherlands?
Why was Belgium created as opposed to grouping the Fracophone Walloons and the Dutch-Speaking Flemish with their respective linguistically similar neighbor countries; France and the Netherlands? First, Belgium wasn’t created by uniting the Walloons with the Flemish, but by secession from the Netherlands.
What happened to the Dutch language in Belgium?
The French occupation in Belgium led to further suppression of the Dutch language across the country, including its abolition as an administrative language. With the motto ‘one nation, one language’, French became the only accepted language in public life as well as in economic, political, and social affairs.
What was the cause of the Belgian Revolution?
This event is known as the Belgian Revolution. According to the linked Wikipedia article, one of the reasons for the revolution was that many future Belgians, even Flemish, ‘regarded King William I’s rule as despotic’. Moreover, Belgians are Catholic, while the Dutch are protestant.