# The Luxembourg Crisis (1867)

URL: https://allhistories.com/luxembourg/timeline/1867-the-luxembourg-crisis
Location: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Themes: Treaties & Law

Before the Austro-Prussian War, Napoleon III believed that Otto von Bismarck had hinted at French compensation in Belgium or Luxembourg in exchange for French neutrality. After Prussia's victory, France sought to acquire Luxembourg, whose King-Grand Duke William III was in financial difficulties. The French government offered William III five million guilders for the grand duchy, and he accepted on 23 March 1867, provided Prussia consented. When the deal became known, German nationalist newspapers protested furiously, and Bismarck, under public pressure, objected and threatened war. Austria proposed transferring Luxembourg to Belgium, but Leopold II refused. Napoleon III then demanded only that Prussian troops leave Luxembourg City, and at Russia's suggestion the powers convened a conference in London to avert war. The crisis was resolved by the Treaty of London of 11 May 1867, which made Luxembourg perpetually neutral and required the Prussian garrison to withdraw. It showed the power of public opinion over diplomacy, deepened the antagonism between France and Prussia that led to war in 1870, and marked an important step towards Luxembourg's full independence.

## Why it matters
The Luxembourg Crisis nearly started a Franco-Prussian war and led to Luxembourg's guaranteed neutrality.

Ruler at the Time: [William III](https://allhistories.com/luxembourg/rulers/william-iii)

Lieutenant-Representative (Governor) of Luxembourg: Prince Henry of the Netherlands
President of the Government of Luxembourg: Victor de Tornaco (Independent)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Luxembourg Crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_Crisis)
- [Luxembourg.lu — History of Luxembourg](https://luxembourg.public.lu/en/society-and-culture/history.html)
- [Wikipedia — Grand Duchy Under The House Of Orange (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_in_the_Long_Nineteenth_Century)