The United Belgian States was an unrecognized confederation in Belgium that existed from 11 January to 2 December 1790, with Brussels serving as its capital. The republic was proclaimed during the Brabant Revolution against the Holy Roman Empire, with the patricians and merchants of Belgium rejecting Emperor Joseph II of Austria's liberal reforms, which were made without consulting the people of Belgium. Hendrik Van der Noot was the only Prime Minister of the short-lived state, which was given Prussian backing. The liberal politician Jan Frans Vonck led a faction that advanced moderate proposals for constitutional reform; once the Austrians had been expelled, they were blackened by their rivals as desiring to destroy the Church and to subvert the ancient liberties of the land; they were arrested in hundreds and driven into exile, many to France. They were able to return only with the aid of the Austrians, who regained control in December 1790. The republic was crushed by the Austrian military, with the Austrian Netherlands being restored.
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