Events of the year 1794 in the Austrian Netherlands and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège (predecessor states of modern Belgium).
Incumbents
Sovereign: Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Prince-Bishop: François Antoine Marie Constantin de Méan et de Beaurieux (to 20 July) Governor General of the Austrian Netherlands: Charles of Austria-Lorraine
Events
April
17–18 April – Battle of Arlon between French and Coalition forces. 23 April – Francis II acclaimed Duke of Brabant and Limburg in Brussels. 26–30 April – Battle of Mouscron between French and Coalition forces.
May
10–12 May – Second Battle of Courtrai between French and Coalition forces. 13 May – Battle of Grandreng between French and Coalition forces. 18 May – Battle of Tourcoing between French and Coalition forces. 20–24 May – Battle of Erquelinnes between French and Coalition forces. 22 May – Battle of Tournai between French and Coalition forces. 30 May – Battle of Gosselies between French and Coalition forces begins. French troops set fire to Aulne Abbey and Lobbes Abbey.
June
1 June – Siege of Ypres by French Revolutionary forces begins. 3 June – Battle of Gosselies between French and Coalition forces concludes. 12–16 June – Battle of Lambusart between French and Coalition forces. 18 June – Siege of Ypres by French Revolutionary forces ends. 26 June – Battle of Fleurus: decisive French victory in the Flanders Campaign of the French Revolutionary Wars.
July
9 July – Tree of Liberty erected on the Place Royale (Brussels). 11 July – French forces muster in Brussels. 20 July – François Antoine Marie Constantin de Méan et de Beaurieux, prince-bishop of Liège, flees to Germany. 23 July – Antwerp occupied by French forces.
August
9 August – Hefty supplementary tax on nobility and religious houses, with hostages taken to ensure payment.
September
17–18 September – Battle of Sprimont: final Austrian defeat in the Low Countries
21 September – Artworks confiscated from castles, churches and religious houses shipped to France.
October
2 October – French forces reach the Rhine. 15 October – Administrative reorganisation of occupied provinces proposed.
November
16 November – Administrative reorganisation adopted, introducing arrondissements, civil marriage, free trade with France; abolishing monopolies and noble titles. 26 November – French authorities order requisitioning and stockpiling of food.
December
Fortifications of Charleroi dismantled.
Births
February
26 February – Barthélémy de Theux de Meylandt, politician (died 1874)
April
4 April – Jean-Joseph Charlier, revolutionary (died 1886)
September
9 September – Léandre Desmaisières, politician (died 1864) 16 September – Floris Nollet, inventor (died 1853)
Date uncertain
Johannes Baptista van Acker, painter (died 1863)
Deaths
April
4 April – Hendrik-Jozef Antonissen (born 1737), painter
July
7 July – Charles-Alexandre de Hénin-Liétard d'Alsace (born 1744), nobleman
13 July – Josse-François-Joseph Benaut (born c.1743), composer and harpsichordist