Note 574 — INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTER X
Reading edition
In 1815 Belgium and Holland were, by the action of the European Powers at the Congress of Vienna, united into one Kingdom. This led to constant friction and even to open hostilities between the two nations, and in 1831 a Conference of the Powers decreed a dissolution of the Union, and drew up a Treaty, but the division of territory again led to a war which is chiefly notable for the siege of Antwerp in 1832. In 1838 Holland announced for the first time her readiness to accede to the provisions of the Treaty of 1832. The Belgians claimed that this acquiescence came too late, but under pressure of the Powers she had in the end to give her assent. During this excitement the failure of the Bank of Brussels produced a financial crisis which caused great distress among the people.