Neutral Moresnet: The Former Microstate You Never Heard Of

Discover the forgotten story of Neutral Moresnet—a bizarre European microstate that existed from 1816 to 1920! Nestled between modern-day Belgium and Germany, this tiny sliver of land was born out of a diplomatic stalemate over valuable zinc mines. In this video, we explore the quirky, fascinating history of this micronation: from its joint governance by two rival powers, to its flirtation with Esperanto as a national language, and even a bold attempt at independence. How did Neutral Moresnet survive for over a century, and why did it ultimately vanish from the map?

#history #europe #belgium #germany #benelux #geography #ghostcountries

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro + What is Neutral Moresnet?
01:23 Napoleonic Wars, Congress of Vienna, and Remapping Europe
02:04 Making of a Microstate
03:55 Draft Dodgers, Low Taxes, and a Zinc Mine
05:48 Neutral Moresnet's Flag
06:24 Amikejo - The World's First Esperanto‑Speaking State
07:51 Las Vegas of Europe?
08:40 Decline of Neutral Moresnet
10:51 Ghost Countries' Index

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Intro Animation + Character Design: Emily Clearwater (iamprettyawesome.co.nz)