Luxembourg- A Brief History
Located at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Belgium, Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the world today.
Located at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Belgium, Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the world today.
The Middle Ages
In 963 A.D. Siegfried, the Count of Ardennes, traded his lands for a small Roman castle called Lucilinburhuc (little fortress). Siegfried saw the potential of this strategically positioned fort, along the Alzette River. Merchant from the bustling Mediterranean seaports to the south made their way through Siegfried’s new holdings, heading north to Germany and west to France and the British Isles. Eventually a bustling trading city grew around the castle. Known as Luxembourg City today, it is the capital of Luxembourg.
By the eleventh century, in keeping with the feudal traditions of the Middle ages, the rulers of the small duchy began calling themselves Count of Luxembourg. The House of Luxembourg was born out of this tradition. Marriage between the House of Luxembourg and other European nobility, produced several notable monarchs, including three Holy Roman Emperors. Unfortunately, the rulers of Luxembourg became very preoccupied with their larger holdings, and the little duchy suffered from neglect. By 1444, the Duke of Burgundy wrested control of Luxembourg away from the Holy Roman Emperor. This marked the beginning of foreign rule over Luxembourg that would last until the nineteenth century. Passed around like a favorite toy, Luxembourg came under control of Austria, France, Germany and Prussia through either inheritance or conquest.
The Nineteenth Century
In 1815, following Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna, elevated Luxembourg to a grand duchy, giving it as personal property to William of Orange, of the Netherlands. He was the first Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the same title held by today’s ruler. Despite its new title and ruler, Luxembourg was still considered part of the German Confederation, and therefore had little political power.
In 1867, France and Prussia almost went to war over whether or not Luxembourg should join the newly established Northern German Confederation. France wanted control over the region since it is still just as strategically important as it had been during the Middle Ages. In the end, Prussian troops were forced to withdraw (they had been occupying the old fort since 1815), but Luxembourg remained part of the Northern German Confederation.
Modern History
In 1890, after William of Orange died without the necessary male heir, the House of Nassau inherited the title of grand duke, where it remains today. Despite official declarations of neutrality, Luxembourg was occupied by German forces in WWI and WWII. The famous Battle of the Bulge was fought, in large part, on Luxembourg soil. During WWII over 1900 hundred of Luxembourg’s Jews were killed in the holocaust. Only 36 survived the death camps.
After WWII, Luxembourg joined the fledgling European Community, forerunner to the European Union. By doing this, Luxembourg abandoned its policy of neutrality, which had not helped much during either of the world wars. Today Luxembourg is classified as a constitutional monarchy, with the current chief of state, Grand Duke Henri (grandson of Grand Duchess Charlotte) and a Prime Minister, Jean Claude Junker, in charge of the government. It is home to approximately 465,000 people, and has one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Sources:
www.britannica.com
http://www.historyofnations.net/europe/luxembourg.html
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Luxembourg.html
http://www.luxembourg.co.uk/nutshell.html
