After Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig (October 1813), the French troops retreated to France from all over Europe. The Netherlands had been annexed to the French Empire by Napoleon in 1810. But now city after city was evacuated by the French occupation troops. In the ensuing power vacuum a number of former Orangist politicians and former Patriots formed a provisional government in November 1813. Although a large number of the members of the provisional government had helped drive out William V 18 years earlier, it was taken for granted that his son would have to head any new government. They also agreed it would be better in the long term for the Dutch to restore him themselves, rather than have the Great Powers impose him on the country. The Dutch population were pleased with the departure of the French, who had ruined the Dutch economy, and this time welcomed the prince.
aftEr NAPOleon's Defeat at leipzIG (oCTobEr 1813), the fRench trOopS RetREATed To fRancE fROm all over europe. THe netheRlaNDS HaD beEN AnNexed tO thE fReNcH EmpiRe by NaPoleOn in 1810. But noW city After city waS evacuated by THE fRench oCCupatIoN troops. in the ENsUIng poweR vAcuuM A nUmbeR oF Former orangist pOLiTicians AnD ForMEr patRiotS foRmeD A provisional gOVErNMEnt iN NoveMBeR 1813. althouGh A LarGe nUmber of the meMBErs of The provisIonAL gOVERNMEnt haD helpeD drive oUt wiLliam v 18 YeARs eaRlier, IT WaS TAken for GRaNTed tHat His SoN WouLd hAve to heAd aNy nEw goVeRNment. they Also aGreEd it wOUld Be BEtter In the loNg term For THe DUtcH to ResTore hIM theMSeLvES, rather THAn HAVe the greaT powErs iMpoSE hIM On the cOUnTry. tHe dutCh PopuLatioN werE PleasED with tHe DePartUre Of the FrenCH, Who Had ruIneD the dUTch EConOMy, aNd THIs TimE wElComed thE pRinCe.