The influence of nationalism was evident throughout the European States System from 1815 - 1856 and severely affected the lives of ordinary people in 1830 as the Belgium revolt occurred, brought about by extremists inspired by the revolutions in Paris - "When Paris sneezes, Europe catches a cold" - Metternich.
The huge fears of the great powers of French expansionism resulted in the formation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to act as a buffer state. This new Kingdom would be ruled under the house of Orange with William I as its King. The Kingdom would include the old Austrian Netherlands, the Dutch Republic and Luxemburg.
Nationalist extremists were already planning a revolution, inspired by the revolutionary actions in Paris, but the main driving force would appear from young students on the 25th August 1830 after seeing an anti-Dutch opera. They quickly overran Brussels and seized all the important buildings in the area.
The reactionary Czar Alexander immediately responds by sending a Russian army to crush the uprising but was disrupted and forced to abandon the attempt as a revolution began to emerge in his own country.
On the 27th August a National assembly was formed in Belgium, declaring Belgium independence on the 4th October. Louis Phillipe promptly recognises the independence of Belgium. The other great powers immediately stepped in, concerned about the quick reaction of the French and the ideas of French expansion in the area. The great powers formed a compromise which would include the guarantee of the Great Powers recognising Belgium’s neutrality and independence (to prevent French expansion), Luxemburg would not be included into Belgium (a driving force in the revolution due to it's predominately catholic religion) it would take away half of the Kingdoms national debt and a king acceptable by the Great Powers would need to be selected.
However, the compromise immediately became in danger.
The Belgium’s offer the crown to Louis Phillipe's son, resulting in a large fear of the potential of French sovereignty in Belgium from the Great Powers. Louis was in a troubled position, as he didn't want to look weak to his people by refusing the crown or annoy the other Great Powers by accepting it.
However, an opportunity arose when William I refused to accept the proposal and moved his loyalist army against Belgium. Louis quickly responded by sending a French army to protect Belgium in the name of the Great Powers, easily repelling William while also declining the crown. This pleased the other Great Powers, showed no weakness to his people by sending an army and was favoured by the Belgians for protecting them.
Eventually a suitable king was found with Leopold of Saxe Coburg Gutha (widower of Princess Charollete, Daughter of George IV and Uncle of Queen Victoria). The final agreement was settled with the Treaty of London in 1839.
The Life’s of ordinary people at this time were severely affected by this nationalist movement as it completely modified their way of living by removing the injustices imposed on them as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
These injustices included the dominance of Official Positions held and favoured by the Dutch. This also extended to the Government where the laws past hindered the Belgium agricultural industry while supporting the Dutch commercial industry. The Dutch government added to this by importing wheat rather than utilising the Belgium agricultural products resulting in economic hardships for the Belgian people. The official language of the Kingdom was Dutch and the Belgian people were again forced to change their lifestyle and culture to suit the Kingdom. Finally, the predominately Protestant religion of the Dutch was favoured over the majority of the Catholic Belgians.
The uprising and independence of Belgium resulted in a sudden change in the lives of ordinary people in Belgium as a new government was formed to set laws that encourage growth in Belgium and supported the lifestyle the ordinary people of Belgium wanted. They no longer suffered the restrictions imposed on them by the Dutch and lived a much better life.
The nationalist revolution that occurred in Belgium on the 27 August 1830 was an event that showed the strong nationalist movement sweeping Europe. This movement resulted in the significant change in the ordinary Belgian peoples life by removing the restrictions and injustices imposed on them and creating a government and country that support their preferences and needs in order to give them a better standard of living and lifestyle
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