Act of September 8, 1859 In the mid-19th century, the concept of defence was changed, because a full defence of Belgium was not considered feasible. Antwerp was the most appropriate as the last stronghold (réduit national) until the aid of allies could arrive. The choice of Antwerp was motivated by its good supply and defence possibilities. The National Reduit (Act of September 8, 1859) would consist of a siege wall, a circle of fortresses and inundations. The fort circle would consist of eight Brialmont forts (named after the architect of the forts H.A. Brialmont) in an 18 km long circle from Wijnegem to Hoboken. The forts were built from 1859 to 1864. Act of 1870 The Franco-Prussian War in 1870 showed that the German artillery could bombard Paris from a distance of 7 km. The circle of Brialmont forts was thus too close to the city centre. Initially, it was decided to build the forts Merksem, Zwijndrecht, and Kruibeke. In addition, the Scheldt Defence was extended with the forts St. Philip and De Perel (both rebuilt). They were small oblong armored fortresses, against enemy warships and were to be heavily armed with 24 and 28 cm guns. De Perel, however, was never equipped with guns at all. 1878 to 1905 In 1872, the idea of the Rupel Neteline as defence line was proposed with the around lying polders as defence by inundation. However, the means lacked to proceed directly with the Construction. In 1878, construction started of three forts in Walem, Lier and (from 1882) Steendorp. The construction of Fort Schoten was started in 1885. In 1886 the redoubt Duffel was built to defend the railway line Antwerp-Brussels. Three more redoubts (Oorderen, Berendrecht and Kapellen) were built respectively to defend the inundatable polders and the dykes and the railway line to the Netherlands. Finally, the Act of 1902 started the construction of the forts Sint Katelijne Waver and Stabroek, but they were not even fully completed and armed in 1914. Prelude Act of March 30, 1906 The development of newer weapons was so fast that in 1900 a committee was established to review the defence of Antwerp. This committee considered the defence of Antwerp to be inadequate, but did not propose a solution. Eventually the government in May 1905 submitted a proposal, which proposed the demolition of the Brialmont wall and the construction of a security circle around the forts