Fountaindale Public Library

Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, edited by Noah Tesch

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

dictionariesbibliography

853139019

edited by Noah Tesch

The Britannica guide to countries of the European Union

Despite being known as the Low Countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands are far from insignificant. The Benelux Economic Union, which sought economic integration between the three countries, in fact served as the model for the European Union. Additionally, each of the three boasts rich histories, and what they lack in size or population, they make up for in thriving cultural climates. This absorbing volume pays each country its due, surveying the lands, societies, traditions, and histories that have elevated the Low Countries on the world stage

Cover; Half Title; Title; Copyright; Contents; Introduction; Chapter 1: Prehistory of the Low Countries; Neolithic (4000-2900 bce); BP (Before Present); The Bronze Age (2000-700 bce); The Iron Age (c. 700 bce to Roman Times); Chapter 2: Ancient and Early Medieval Times; The Roman period; The Morini; Dagobert I; Frankish Rule; The Low Countries Under the Carolingians; Government; Religion; Social Classes; Economy; Decline of the Frankish Empire; Chapter 3: The Development of the Territorial Principalities and the Rise of the Towns (925-c. 1350); The Secular Principalities; ComitatusThe Spiritual PrincipalitiesHoly Roman Empire; Struggle for Independence; French and English Influence; Battle of the Golden Spurs; Social and Economic Structure; Growth of Flanders; Nijmegen; The Towns; Town Opposition to the Prince; Chapter 4: Consolidation of Territorial States (1384-1567); The Burgundians; The Order of the Golden Fleece; The Habsburgs; Economic Structure; Population Growth; Culture; Thomas à Kempis; Development of Dutch Humanism; Desiderius Erasmus; Chapter 5: The Revolt and the Formation of the Republic (1567-79); Causes of the Revolt; Unification after AlbaPacification of GhentChapter 6: Belgium; Relief, Drainage, and Soils; Meuse River; Climate; Plant and Animal Life; Ethnic Groups and Languages; Fleming and Walloon; Religion; Settlement Patterns; Brugge: "Venice of the North"; Demographic Trends; Chapter 7: The Belgian Economy; Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing; Resources and Power; Manufacturing; Brussels Lace; Finance; Trade; Services; Labour and Taxation; Transportation and Telecommunications; Chapter 8: Belgian Government and Society; Local Government; Justice; Political Process; Catholic University of Leuven; SecurityHealth and WelfareHousing; Education; Chapter 9: Belgian Cultural Life; Daily Life and Social Customs; Pieter Bruegel, the Elder; The Arts; Django Reinhardt; Tintin; Cultural Institutions; Eddy Merckx; Sports and Recreation; Media and Publishing; Chapter 10: Belgium: Past and Present; The Spanish Netherlands; Administration; Economic Developments; The Austrian Netherlands; War of the Spanish Succession; Brabant Revolution; French Administration; The Kingdom of the Netherlands; Independent Belgium before World War I; Liberal Dominance; Walthère Frère-Orban; Period of Catholic GovernmentCongo Free StateBelgium and World War I; The Interwar Period; Léon Degrelle; Nazi Occupation; Belgium after World War II; Federalized Belgium; Albert II; Chapter 11: Luxembourg: The Land and Its People; Relief and Soils; Climate; People; Luxembourg City; Settlement Patterns; Demographic Trends; Chapter 12: The Luxembourgian Economy; Agriculture; Resources and Power; Manufacturing and Trade; ArcelorMittal; European Court of Justice; Transportation and Communications; Chapter 13: Luxembourgian Government and Society; Health and Welfare; Education; Chapter 14: Luxembourgian Cultural Life

adult