Treaty of London (1839) facts for kids
The Treaty of London of 1839 was an important agreement signed on April 19, 1839. It was made between several powerful European countries and the new Kingdom of Belgium. This treaty is also known by other names, like the First Treaty of London or the London Treaty of Separation.
What Was the Treaty of London?
This treaty was needed because the Netherlands did not want to sign an earlier agreement from 1831. That first agreement, called the 'Treaty of the XXIV Articles', said that Belgium was its own independent country. The 1839 Treaty of London finally made this official. It also confirmed that the German-speaking part of Luxembourg was independent.
Why Was Belgium's Neutrality Important?
A very important part of the 1839 treaty was that Belgium had to be a neutral country forever. This meant Belgium could not take sides in wars between other nations. The countries that signed the treaty also promised to protect Belgium if it was ever attacked. This promise was a big deal for Belgium's safety.
How Did This Treaty Lead to World War I?
Many people believe this treaty played a part in starting World War I. In August 1914, the German Empire invaded Belgium. Because of the 1839 treaty, the UK had promised to protect Belgium. Just a few days after the invasion, on August 4, the UK declared war on Germany. This was partly because Germany had broken the promise to respect Belgium's neutrality.
