In 1815, the Kingdom of the Netherlands was born from the merger of the Dutch Republic and Belgium, with William I as King and Grand Duke of Luxembourg. This new state was intended to serve as a buffer between European powers to preserve the continental balance. It brought together territories with distinct histories, all marked by Napoleonic occupation. The lecture will present a brief overview of the rapid reconstruction of the Dutch army under William I, focusing on the period 1815-1840, including the Belgian Revolution of 1830 and its effects on Dutch forces. The normalisation of relations in 1839 ushered in a century of military peace.
12 November 2025 6 pm.
In French, free entry.