Southern Netherlands

The Southern Netherlands were a part of the Low Countries controlled by Spain (Spanish Netherlands, 1579-1713), Austria (Austrian Netherlands, 1713-1794) and France (1794-1815). This region comprised most of modern Belgium (except the prince-bishopric of Liège, which was an autonomous, neutral part of the German Holy Roman Empire) and Luxembourg (including the homonymous present Belgian province) as well as, before 1678, much of north-western France.

French occupation

After the French Revolution, in 1794 the entire region (including territories that were never under Habsburg rule, like the Bishopric of Liège) was overrun by France ending the existence of this territory as Spanish/Austrian Netherlands. It became an integral part of France, and was divided into départements:

Related Topics:
French Revolution - Bishopric of Liège - Département

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• Deux-Nèthes
• Dyle
• Escaut
• Forêts
• Jemmape
• Lys
• Meuse-Inférieure
• Ourte
• Sambre-et-Meuse

Austria confirmed the loss of its territories by the Treaty of Campo Formio, in 1797.

Related Topics:
Austria - Treaty of Campo Formio - 1797

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After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 the region was given to the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, however after the Belgian Revolution of 1830 it separated and became the independent state of Belgium.

Related Topics:
1815 - Belgian Revolution - 1830 - Belgium

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