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Prehistory and antiquity (800,000 B.C. - 400 A.D.)
Belgian history began some hundred thousand years ago with the arrival of the Neanderthal man. He hunted and protected himself with animal skins. Around 20,000 years ago, modern man entered Belgium. In the Mesolithic period (from 9000 B.C.) man combined hunting with gathering. He perfected his tools. Around 2600 B.C. (Neolithic period) agriculture appeared in the regions of Belgium. There were also mining activities (silex mines) at Spiennes in the province of Hainaut. At the same time megali...
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Modern Times (1482 - 1794)
Under the reign of Emperor Charles V (1500-1555) Belgium was one of the most urbanized regions in the world. The port of Antwerp was a leading commercial centre and also became a financial centre. Art and science florished along with the economy and Belgian intellectuals became famous throughout Europe.
In the second half of the sixteenth century the Belgians and Dutch reacted against the tyranny of Philip II (1555-1598), King of Spain and the Netherlands. This resistance was intertwined w...
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The French and Dutch periods (1794 - 1830)
In 1792 the troops of the French republic managed to conquer the Southern Netherlands and Liège, but at the start of 1793 the Austrians reoccupied the country.
A new French military campaign in 1794 put an end to Austrian rule once and for all. France annexed the Southern Netherlands and Liège. The newly integrated territories were imposed the same republican institutions. When Napoleon came to power, Belgium became part of the French empire. Napoleon implemented a wide ranging framework ...
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Belgium's independence (1830 - present time)
At the Congress of Vienna, in 1815, Belgium (The Southern Netherlands) and the Northern Netherlands (Holland) were united to form one State. This new state was ruled by King William I. Although his policy was beneficial to the Belgian bourgeoisie, there was protest. The Catholics objected against the interference of the protestant king in clerical matters. The Liberals demanded more freedom. In 1828 Catholics and Liberals drew up a concerted programme of demands. The association between Catho...
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history 
