Doctrinaire liberalism gained control in the government under Charles Rogier. François Laurent became the major theorist and argued that progress toward individualism was directed by God. L'Économiste belge served as the major periodical for the movement.
An education bill increased the number of state grammar and secondary schools, but allowed priests to offer religious instruction in these schools. Nonetheless, the bill met increasing opposition from the Catholics, and priests generally refused to offer such instruction.
Walther Frère-Orban adopted a strategy of free trade implemented through a series of bilateral trade treaties and by reducing duties on a number of items.
The Rogier cabinet resigned as a result of domestic crisis and the growing hostility of Napoleon III. Leopold I proved unable to establish a stable conservative government. The doctrinaire Liberals returned in 1857.
L'Affranchissement established. Along with Les Solidaires (1857), it combined atheism with socialist ideas. Atheist organizations provided groundwork for socialism in Belgium throughout the 19th century.
Frère-Orban abolished cities' rights to impose duties on wares brought into towns and established the Crédit communal, which provided state loans to municipalities on favorable terms.
An education act secularized primary education. No public support was to be given to “free” or Catholic schools. The measure passed with Liberal support but estranged the Clericals.
