Rhineland
The territories between the Ardennes and the Rhine were occupied by the Treveri, the Eburones, and other Celtic tribes. These groups lived alongside their Germanic neighbors who modified their cultures over time. On the East bank of the Rhine, settlements existed for the Mattiaci, a branch of the Germanic Chatti. Further to the north dwelled the Usipetes and Tencteri. Julius Caesar conquered the Celtic tribes on the West bank during his campaigns. Augustus established numerous fortified posts along the river to secure Roman interests. The Romans never succeeded in gaining a firm footing on the East bank despite repeated efforts.
As the power of the Roman empire declined, the Franks pushed forward along both banks of the Rhine. By the end of the 5th century they had conquered all lands that had formerly been under Roman influence. By the 8th century, the Frankish dominion was firmly established in western Germania and northern Gaul. The division of the Carolingian Empire at the Treaty of Verdun split the province east of the river to East Francia. That part west remained with the kingdom of Lotharingia. The old Lotharingian divisions eventually became obsolete as political boundaries shifted.
By the time of Emperor Otto I, who died in 973, both banks of the Rhine had become part of the Holy Roman Empire. In 959 the Rhenish territory was divided between the duchies of Upper Lorraine and Lower Lorraine. As central imperial power weakened, the region disintegrated into numerous small independent principalities. Each state maintained its own separate vicissitudes and special chronicles. After the Imperial Reform of 1500/12, the territory belonged to the Lower Rhenish, Westphalian, Upper Rhenish, and Electoral Rhenish Circles. Notable states included the ecclesiastical electorates of Cologne and Trier. The duchies of Jülich, Cleves, and Berg formed the United Duchies from 1521. Aachen served as the place of coronation for German emperors.
At the Peace of Basel in 1795, the whole of the left bank of the Rhine was taken by France. The population numbered about 1.6 million people living in numerous small states. In 1806, the Rhenish princes all joined the Confederation of the Rhine under Napoleon. France took direct control until 1814 and radically liberalized government, society, and economy. The French swept away centuries worth of outmoded restrictions to introduce unprecedented levels of efficiency. Chaos and barriers in a land divided among petty principalities gave way to a rational system controlled by Paris. The most important impact came from the abolition of all feudal privileges and historic taxes. Legal reforms of the Napoleonic Code reorganized judicial and local administrative systems. Economic integration with France increased prosperity especially in industrial production. Jews were liberated from the ghetto during this period.
A Prussian influence began on a small scale in 1609 by the occupation of the Duchy of Cleves. A century later Upper Guelders and Moers also became Prussian. The Congress of Vienna expelled the French and assigned the lower Rhenish districts to Prussia. They left these areas in undisturbed possession of the liberal institutions they had become accustomed to under the French. The Rhine Province remained part of Prussia after Germany was unified in 1871. In 1822 the Prussian administration reorganized the territory as the Rhine Province. North Rhine-Westphalia is one of the prime German industrial areas today. It contains significant mineral deposits including coal, lead, lignite, magnesium, oil, and uranium. Water transport remains vital for the region's economy.
The occupation of the Rhineland took place following the Armistice with Germany of the 11th of November 1918. The occupying armies consisted of American, Belgian, British and French forces. Under the Treaty of Versailles, German troops were banned from all territory west of the Rhine. This restriction extended within 50 kilometers east of the river. In January 1923, French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr district in response to reparations failures. Germans responded with passive resistance which led to hyperinflation. French troops left the Ruhr in August 1925. The occupation of the remainder of the Rhineland ended on the 30th of June 1930. On the 7th of March 1936, German troops marched into the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. There was no opposition to its re-occupation from other powers such as France and the UK. This lack of action gave Hitler confidence and increased his programme of re-armament.
Common questions
Which tribes occupied the territories between the Ardennes and the Rhine before Roman conquest?
The Treveri, the Eburones, and other Celtic tribes occupied the territories between the Ardennes and the Rhine. These groups lived alongside Germanic neighbors who modified their cultures over time.
When did the Franks conquer all lands that had formerly been under Roman influence in the Rhineland?
By the end of the 5th century the Franks had conquered all lands that had formerly been under Roman influence. By the 8th century Frankish dominion was firmly established in western Germania and northern Gaul.
What happened to the Rhenish territory during the Peace of Basel in 1795?
At the Peace of Basel in 1795 France took the whole of the left bank of the Rhine. The population numbered about 1.6 million people living in numerous small states.
How did Prussia acquire control over parts of the Rhineland after the Congress of Vienna?
The Congress of Vienna expelled the French and assigned the lower Rhenish districts to Prussia. In 1822 the Prussian administration reorganized the territory as the Rhine Province.
On what date did German troops march into the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles?
On the 7th of March 1936 German troops marched into the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. There was no opposition to its re-occupation from other powers such as France and the UK.