Map showing the partitions of Luxembourg. The Castellum Lucilinburhuc, located on a rocky outcrop known as the Bock, was steadily enlarged and strengthened over the years, making it by the nineteenth century one of the strongest fortresses in Europe. Its formidable defences and strategic location caused it to become known as the 'Gibraltar of the North'.
Luxembourg remained an independent earldom of the Holy Roman Empire until 1354, when the emperor Charles IV elevated it to the status of duchy. In 1437 the ruling family became extinct and the castle passed briefly into Habsburg hands, before being captured by Philip of Burgundy in 1443. With the death of Mary of Burgundy in 1482 Luxembourg returned to Habsburg rule.
Luxembourg was annexed by Louis XIV of France in 1684, an action that caused alarm among France's neighbours and resulted in the formation of the League of Augsburg in 1686. In the ensuing war France was forced to give up the duchy, which was returned to the Habsburgs by the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697. During this period of French rule the defences of the fortress were strengthened by the famous siege engineer Vauban. Habsburg rule was confirmed in 1715, and Luxembourg was integrated into the Austrian Netherlands. After the French revolution Luxembourg was reconquered by France and became a département of the Republic 2 in 1795, a situation formalized in 1797.
1800s
Map showing the partitions of Luxembourg.
It remained under French rule until the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, when it was elevated to the status of grand duchy and placed under the rule of the king of the Netherlands. However, its military value to Germany prevented it from becoming a part of the Dutch kingdom. Instead it was made a member of the German Confederation with Prussia responsible for defence. Luxembourg remained a possession of the kings of the Netherlands until the death of William III in 1890, when the grand duchy passed to the House of Nassau-Weilburg due to Salic Law.
The rebellion of Belgium against Dutch rule in 1830 had serious consequences for Luxembourg. The country declared independence in 1835, and this was recognized by the grand duke three years later. By the Treaty of London in 1839 the grand duchy was cut in two, losing more than half of its territory to the new Belgian state. The loss of its French-speaking lands left Luxembourg as a predominantly German nation, although French cultural influence remained strong. The loss of Belgian markets also caused painful economic problems for the state. Recognizing this, the grand duke integrated it into the German Zollverein in 1842. Nevertheless, Luxembourg remained an underdeveloped agrarian country for most of the century. As a result of this about one in five of the inhabitants emigrated to the United States between 1841 and 1891.
The crisis of 1867 almost resulted in war between France and Germany over the status of Luxembourg. The issue was resolved by the second Treaty of London which guaranteed the perpetual independence and neutrality of the state. The fortress walls were pulled down and the Prussian garrison was withdrawn.
Luxembourg was conquered by Germany during World War I and remained under occupation until 1918, when it was liberated by U.S. and French troops. Two American divisions were based in the state in the years following the War. At Versailles the Belgian claim to Luxembourg was rejected and its independence reaffirmed.
The Germans returned during World War II. In 1940 the Wehrmacht attacked Luxembourg and quickly defeated its small defence force. The state was placed under military occupation until August 1942, when it was formally incorporated into the Third Reich as part of the Gau Moselland . Luxembourgers were declared to be German citizens and 13,000 were called up for military service.
This action did provoke a general strike against the occupying authorities which was violently suppressed: 21 strikers were executed and hundreds more deported to concentration camps. 2,848 Luxembourgers eventually died fighting in the German army. U.S. forces again liberated Luxembourg in September 1944, although they were briefly forced to withdraw during the Battle of the Bulge. The Germans were finally expelled in January 1945. Altogether, of a pre-war population of 293,000, 5,259 Luxembourgers lost their lives during the hostilities.
Luxembourg ended its neutrality in 1945 by becoming a charter member of the United Nations. It also became a member of the Benelux Customs Union in 1948 and of NATO in 1949. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.
'Ons Hemecht', or 'D'Uelzecht' is the name of the Luxembourg national anthem. It dates from the 19th Century. Words are by Michel Lentz (1820-1893), music by Jean Antoine Zinnen (1827-1898).
Wou d'Uelzécht durech d'Wisen zéit, duurch d'Fielsen d'Sauer brécht, Wou d'Rief laanscht d'Musel dofteg bléit, den Dummel Wäin ons mécht, Dat as onst Land, fir dat mir géif heinidden alles won, Onst Hemechtsland, dat mir sou déif an onsen Hierzer dron. An séngem donkle Bëscherkranz vum Fridde stëll bewaacht, Sou ouni Pronk an deire Glanz gemittlech léif et laacht; Vollek frou sech soë kann, an 't si keng eidel Dreem: Wéi wunnt et sech sou heemlech dran, wéi as 't sou gutt doheem! Gesank, Gesank vu Bierg an Dall, an der Äärd, déi äis gedron! D'Léift huet en treie Widderhall a jidder Broscht gedon. Fir d'Hemecht as keng Weis ze schéin; all Wuert, dat vun er klénkt, Gräift äis an d'Séil wéi Himmelstéin, an d'A wéi Feier blénkt. O Du do uewen, Deem séng Hand duurch d'Welt d'Natioune leet, Behitt Du d'Lëtzebuerger Land vu frieme Joch a Leed! Du hues ons all als Kanner schon de fräie Geescht jo gin, Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn, déi mir sou laang gesin!