Luxembourg/Luxembourgers: Development of a Nation
How Luxembourg became Luxembourg, and how the Luxembourgers became Luxembourger.

How Luxembourgers as a people, and the country of Luxembourg as a nation-state, evolved and materialized into current form, in terms of ancestral bloodlines, language, borders, culture, and even how they received their name.

Ancestral Background
Development of Language
Formation of Borders
Etymology (How Name Received)
Culture
Luxembourg in 2008

Luxembourger Ancestral Background:
 

1. The area of modern Luxembourg was inhabited by Celts, then overran with Germanics (during age of migrations after collapse of Roman Empire in 5^th century), who absorbed the Celtic population.
2. Holy Roman Empire (HRE). In 953, the German Kingdom becomes the Holy Roman Empire (HRE), after entering into a partnership with the Pope in Rome. The King of the Germans is  recognized as Holy Roman Emperor by Rome in exchange for guaranteed independence of Papal States (centered around Rome – rule by Church). The Holy Roman Empire was a collection of German duchies, principalities and other entities that offered at least token loyalty to the partnership of the Emperor and the Pope. The Emperor and Pope formed (at least in theory) a secular-ecclesiastic partnership in governing the empire. In reality, the two offices were often at odds, even directing acts of hostility toward one another. The German princes, dukes, etc. of member states within the HRE typically operated with autonomy, cooperating with the emperor when unifying causes arose, such as military campaigns to expand or protect the empire. Other nationalities were brought under HRE-rule throughout history, such as Italy and Burgundy (French). Many German entities eventually broke away from the Holy Roman Empire to form their own distinct nations, such as the Dutch, Swiss and Austrians.
3. German (non-Dutch) influence dominated, as it remained an independent county in the Holy Roman Empire from 963 until being elevated to duchy status in 1354. Since the Germanic/Celtic integration, it remained largely ethnically homogenous with the rest of the main body of German peoples.
4. Ceded to Austria as part of Austrian Netherlands, pegging its destiny to the Netherlands from this point forward (especially with Belgium – Southern Netherlands), opening it up to minor Dutch influence upon people’s genetic composition.
5. Conquered by France in 1794, Napoleon’s France annexes modern Belgium and Luxembourg (Southern/Austrian Netherlands) in 1795, making it part of France, introducing a French population into these areas. As a result, Luxembourgers would come to include a French component.
6. Upon Napoleonic France’s utter defeat, the Southern Netherlands would be incorporated into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1815 to 1830. Belgium would then declare independence in 1830, gaining independence after war in 1839. The French-dominated section of Luxembourg would join Belgium, and would be incorporated into Belgium upon achieving independence, reducing Luxembourg territory by more than half, finalizing the modern borders of the nation of Luxembourg. As a result, its populace would be primarily Germanic, with some French component.

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Development of Language in Luxembourg: See German Language

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Formation of Luxembourg Borders:

1. The land of historical Luxembourg was purchased by a German count, forming it into the County of Luxembourg in 963. Before, it had been part of Frankish Kingdom, then owned by a monastery under Holy Roman Empire rule. Elevated to duchy status in 1354.
2. Conquered by Burgundy in 1469, being incorporated into the Burgundian Netherlands (independent from the Holy Roman Empire).
3. 1477 – Austria gains Burgundian Netherlands.
4. 1556 – Spain annexes Low Counties (Seventeen Provinces), which includes the Burgundian Netherlands (and thus Luxembourg).
5. During 80-Years War (1568-1648), as a Catholic-dominated region, it remained with Spain (along with modern Belgium, forming the Southern Netherlands).
6. Napoleonic France conquers Southern Netherlands in 1794, annexing them in 1795 as part of France.
7. After Napoleonic Wars, Belgium and Luxembourg are enjoined with the Netherlands by the European Powers in 1815, forming the contrived Kingdom of the Netherlands. Dutch people still distinct from Belgians, as they had been a separate nation for more than a century now, even though their early history was common. Thus, Belgium separates to form Kingdom of Belgium in 1830, forming modern boundaries of both Netherlands and Belgium. After declaring independence in 1830, a war of independence with the Netherlands ensues, lasting until 1839, with the Kingdom of Belgium gaining independence. The French speaking portion of Luxembourg would join the Belgian revolution, being annexed into Belgium upon gaining independence, causing Luxembourg to lose more than half its territory. With this, its modern borders were achieved.

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Etymology (How Name Received):

Luxembourg was located on traditional Celtic grounds, used Celtic word for “little” (lucilem), and German word for “castle” (burg). English adaptation comes to Luxembourg.

Luxembourg Culture:

Luxembourg culture is an eclectic mix between German and French culture. Luxembourg has long been an outback in the various empires or nations that have consumed it, leaving it with a rural tradition. Similar to Belgium, it is at a natural geopolitical hub, giving rise to a very strong transportation industry, which has played a major role in Luxembourg developing one of the world's strongest economies, on a per capita basis.

Luxembourg in 2008:

Economy: Extremely strong and diversified economy. Number one in the world in GDP per capita. High standard of living.
Government: Constitutional monarchy (democracy with monarch still in place).
Religion: Roman Catholic 87%, Nations dominated by Catholicism like Luxembourg tend to be a little more religious (although still very secular, with the trend deepening this). Survey: 44% believe in God, 28% believe in some other form of intelligent design, 22% atheist/agnostic.
Demographics: Luxembourgers the vast majority. Mix of Celtic origin, Germanic peoples that overran the territory during the era of migrations, along with a French blend.
Foreign Policy: NATO
Population: 486,006 (2008)

 

Formation of Nations (All European Nations)

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