Book contents
- The Cambridge History of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions
- The Cambridge History of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions
- The Cambridge History of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Contributors to Volume ii
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I France
- Part II Western, Central, and Eastern Europe
- 11 Switzerland: Local Agency and French Intervention: The Helvetic Republic
- 12 Revolution at Geneva: Genevans in Revolution
- 13 The Modernity of the Dutch Revolution: Ideas, Action, Permeation
- 14 The United States of Belgium
- 15 Revolution in England? Abolitionism
- 16 The Irish Rebellion of 1798
- 17 Italy: Revolution and Counterrevolution (1789–1799)
- 18 Germany and the French Revolution
- 19 Reform and Resistance: Hungary and the Habsburg Monarchy, 1780–1795
- 20 Poland–Lithuania in the Age of Atlantic Revolutions: Dilemmas of Liberty
- 21 Transnational Perspectives: The French Revolution, the Sister Republics, and the United States
- Part III Haiti
- Index
14 - The United States of Belgium
from Part II - Western, Central, and Eastern Europe
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 October 2023
- The Cambridge History of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions
- The Cambridge History of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions
- The Cambridge History of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Contributors to Volume ii
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I France
- Part II Western, Central, and Eastern Europe
- 11 Switzerland: Local Agency and French Intervention: The Helvetic Republic
- 12 Revolution at Geneva: Genevans in Revolution
- 13 The Modernity of the Dutch Revolution: Ideas, Action, Permeation
- 14 The United States of Belgium
- 15 Revolution in England? Abolitionism
- 16 The Irish Rebellion of 1798
- 17 Italy: Revolution and Counterrevolution (1789–1799)
- 18 Germany and the French Revolution
- 19 Reform and Resistance: Hungary and the Habsburg Monarchy, 1780–1795
- 20 Poland–Lithuania in the Age of Atlantic Revolutions: Dilemmas of Liberty
- 21 Transnational Perspectives: The French Revolution, the Sister Republics, and the United States
- Part III Haiti
- Index
Summary
In December 1789 the Belgians won their independence from Austria. Belgian revolutionaries cast Austrian Emperor Joseph II as a foreign tyrant. Two years before, the Estates of the nine Belgian provinces led by lawyer Henri van der Noot had resisted Austrian-imposed reforms of their religious institutions and judicial administration. Pamphlets flew, not only defending rights guaranteed by centuries-old Belgian provincial constitutions, but arguing that Belgians should follow the Americans and fight for the natural rights. In October 1789, revolutionaries came together to issue the “Manifeste du Peuple Brabançon,” modeled on the American Declaration of Independence. An army of volunteers marched into battle supported by villagers. Taking advantage of a ten-day armistice to regroup, the Belgians overcame the Austrian forces and proclaimed their independence.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Cambridge History of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions , pp. 375 - 395Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023