William I of the Netherlands

:For other men at some time in history called "William I of Orange-Nassau", see William of Orange

Belgian uprising

In August, 1830 the opera "La Muette de Portici" (about repression of Neapolitans) was staged in Brussels. This caused acute nationalism and Hollandophobia in Brussels, which spread to the rest of modern-day Belgium. It soon came to mass riots. These riots were mainly aimed at the unpopular Minister of Justice, who lived in Brussels and was almost killed. An infuriated William responded by sending troops to repress the riots. However, the riots had spread to other Southern cities. The riots quickly became popular rebellions. It didn't take long for the new independent state of Belgium to be proclaimed.

Related Topics:
August - 1830 - La Muette de Portici - Neapolitan - Belgium

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The next year (1831), William sent his sons to Belgium to repress this state.

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Although they were initially victorious, after the threat of French intervention the Dutch army had to retreat. Some popular feelings towards the Orange dynasty remained for a score of years but the Oranges never regained control over Belgium. William was stubborn and continued with the war. His economic successes were overshadowed by mismanagement caused by the war. The mismanagement increased the cost of the war, which put a burden on the economy. This hampered the war, and in combination with continuing mismanagement, this led to an ever-rising cost of the war. In 1839, William was forced to end the war. The United Kingdom of the Netherlands was disbanded and renamed the "Kingdom of the Netherlands".

Related Topics:
Orange - Belgium - 1839

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Constitutional changes were initiated in 1840 because the terms which involved the United Kingdom of the Netherlands had to be removed. These constitutional changes also included the introduction of judicial ministerial responsibility. Although the policies remained uncontrolled by parliament, the prerogative was controllable now. The very conservative William could not live with these constitutional changes. This, the disappointment about the loss of Belgium and William's intention to marry Henrietta d'Oultremont created desires about abdication. He fulfilled his desires on October 7, 1840 when his eldest son acceded to the throne as king William II. William died in Berlin after three years with Henrietta.

Related Topics:
1840 - Belgium - October 7 - William II

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