After the defeat of Napoleon, the Allied powers proclaimed Belgium to be part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which was ruled by William of Orange. However, the Belgian Revolution of 1830 in Brussels gave Belgians the independence they had longed for.

Before the Revolution, Belgians resented Dutch control over the economic, political and social institutions of the United Provinces. The Dutch supported free trade, while the less-developed local industries wanted to keep tariffs. Belgians were Roman Catholics, while the Dutch king was a Calvinist, which also led to the Revolution.

After Belgium’s declaration of its independence in 1831, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was elected as the country’s first king, who was German and the uncle of Britain’s Queen Victoria. Shortly thereafter, the Netherlands invaded Belgium. However, in 1839 the two countries signed the Treaty of London, which recognised Belgium’s independence.

As a constitutional monarchy, Belgium began its independent life liberally. However, the possibility to vote was restricted to the bourgeoisie and clergy, who were French speaking, which meant less than one percent of the adult population. Luxembourg did not join Belgium, as it remained in possession of the Netherlands according the Treaty of 1839. Later, different inheritance laws led to its separation as an independent Grand Duchy. This treaty caused Belgium’s loss of Eastern Limburg, Zeeuws Vlaanderen, French Flanders and Eupen, despite claims that Belgium had historical reasons to possess these territories.

Leopold II, the son of Leopold I of Belgium, succeeded his father on the throne in 1865, and remained king until his death. Under his reign, Belgium flourished economically and culturally. Leopold II believed that colonies abroad proved to be advantageous for Belgium, and worked tirelessly to acquire colonial territory. However, Belgians and the government were not interested in his venture, though finally the government did lend him money for this purpose.