Date of Award

5-1989

Degree Type

Master's Essay - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Thomas E. Hachey

Abstract

Frequently contemporary historical texts relegate only a line or two to the disturbances in Belgium in the fall of 1830. Most often the Belgian revolution is discussed in reference with other minor revolutions that occurred elsewhere in Europe during that year. Labeled under the generalized term of a 'nationalist revolution', the revolt in Brussels should hold a unique position among those revolutions that embroiled Europe during that eventful year as it dominated the minds of European statesmen. Militarily, little 'real' fighting occurred between the forces of King William I and the rebels, either in the cities or the countryside. Initially there was no military intervention on the part of any of the great powers either in support of the existing monarchy or to aid the rebel's cause of autonomy, but by November the Belgian problem resulted in a conference of the powers, convoked under the articles of the Treaty of Vienna of 1815; a conference which would last for nine years. No other disturbance on the Continent, throughout the entire course of the nineteenth century, commanded so much attention over such an extended period of time.

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