The Benelux Alliance

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Table of Content: 1. History   - 1.1 Early History   - 1.2 Forming of the alliance   - 1.3 Modern History 1. History: 1.1 Early History: The history of the Benelux alliance starts already at the beginning of the Great Wandering around 470 AD. Several different West-Germanic tribes moved in to the area from inner Germany and some from Scandinavia. The huge wave of immigrants chased away the small celtic population of the area 1.2 Forming of the Alliance: In the year 790 AD three different kingdoms had grown forth from the mix of the Germanic invaders, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. The Netherlands and Luxembourg were mainly Dutch areas while Belgium was a Flemish kingdom. The alliance was first loosley established  after the first crusade in 1099 to counter the French super power that  was eager to expand. The three different kingdoms signed a treaty that they would help each other if France attacked any of the three states. Through the years marriages and royal bounds brought to alliance closer untill in 1217 AD when Maximilian the Great of Luxembourg united the three kindoms under one banner.

Greece (in orange):

Population: 33'000'000 Capital: Amsterdam Language(s): Dutch, Flemish Motto: Strenght in Unity

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Maximilians mother was a Flemish princess and his father the Duke of Amsterdam, the largest city in the alliance. He was thus accepted as the High Councelor of the Benelux alliance. It was a special title but his powers were equal to that of a king. His fathers familys coat of arms were adopted as the kingdoms own. A new flag representing the three crowns of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg was adopted as the new flag.

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