United States of...Belgium

bub · 08-04-08, 04:28 PM

Did you know that during a few months, just after the revolt against the Austrians and before the French invasion (1792), the provinces of the Southern Netherlands (which are now Belgium), the duchy of Bouillon and the principalty of Liège united and called themselves "United States of Belgium"?

This confederacy had a constitution inspired by the American constitution.

Here's a translation of my summary of the chapter dedicated to this period in a history course:

Quote:

The Brabantian revolution and the United States of Belgium

In 1789, what is now Belgium was called the Austrian Netherlands, and was ruled by Joseph II, enlightened despot. His progressive, modernist reforms were not accepted by the locals, who were either more conservative or more liberal than him.

1) The reforms of Joseph II

He wants to reduce the influence of the provinces, to centralize, and to abolish the “ancient regime”.
- judiciary reforms: he abolishes the ancient jurisdictions and creates a modern pyramidal system
- political reforms: he abolishes the “provincial states” (the local parliaments) as they were too conservative
- religious reforms: he abolishes the Jesuits and makes education laic.
- He also abolishes the “joyous entry”, traditional custom where the princes who entered a town for the first time negotiated with the nobles and gave the town more freedom.

2) Opposition

These reforms were not accepted, in the name of the Medieval liberties. Two different oppositions:

- the Vonckists, “progressists”, who were Bourgeois who want to imitate the French democratic ideas (they are against Joseph II because he is a despot)
- The Van der Nootists, conservative, who want to defend the Ancient regime (they are against Joseph II because he modernizes the country)

This army of patriots wins against the Austrian army in 1789. Joseph II keeps Luxemburg.

3) Creation of the United States of Belgium

A confederation is created in 1790, led by a president and with a constitution inspired by the American constitution.

Comparison between the two constitutions:

Art 1. “The style of this confederacy shall be the United States of America”
Art 1. “All the provinces are united and shall be called the United States of Belgium”

Art 2. “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled”
Art 7. “Each province retains and keeps all the other rights: its legislation, its freedom, its independence, and all the powers, jurisdictions and rights that are not expressly united and delegated to the Congress”

Art 3. “The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all the forces offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever.
Art 2. “These provinces put in common and unite their sovereign power, which is however limited to a common defence, the power to make war and peace, to maintain a national army, to make alliances, send or host ambassadors…
A. Archaic elements: they reintroduce what Joseph II had abolished: Catholicism as a state religion, conservative provincial assemblies, provincialism…this is a conservative revolution
B. Modern elements: we are not under the influence of a foreign monarchy anymore
C. Nationalist elements: this is the first time that a revolution is made “in the name of the Belgians”

4) Fall of the United states of Belgium

- Because of internal dissensions (the Vonckists and the Van der Nootists become less and less friendly once the Austrians are gone)
- The Austrians come back in 1791
- The French invade us in 1792 (After the battle of Jemappe)
- The Austrians come back in 1793 (after the battle of Neerwinden)
- The French invade us again in 1794 (after the battle of Fleurus)

5) Conclusion:

- For the first time, we can see two tendencies: conservatives (van der nootists, catholics and provincialists) and progressives (vonckists, liberals who defend the national sovereignty)
- There is a class of revolutionaries, the bourgeois liberals, who will make the revolution if 1830
- We had deep provincial roots
- Unlike the French revolution, this is not a revolution in the direction of progress and reason
- This revolution has been quick forgotten because of the French revolution and the subsequent invasions

For further informations - United States of Belgium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lerxst · 08-10-08, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bub

Did you know that during a few months, just after the revolt against the Austrians and before the French invasion (1792), the provinces of the Southern Netherlands (which are now Belgium), the duchy of Bouillon and the principalty of Liège united and called themselves "United States of Belgium"?

This confederacy had a constitution inspired by the American constitution.

Here's a translation of my summary of the chapter dedicated to this period in a history course:

For further informations - United States of Belgium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I did not know this but I do now. Very interesting tidbit of history bub. Thanks again for giving these to us.