The revolutions sweeping through the old continent in 1830 had many repercussions. One was the birth of a new nation-state, Belgium, which had not gone unnoticed on the wider European scene. As we have seen, the Great Powers had carefully monitored the diplomatic aspects of this process. But even after its creation, this new country still occupied a unique position in the international arena. Of course, small and neutral Belgium could not play an active role on the global stage, but foreign capitals kept a watchful eye on it because it remained an important element in the European balance of power.