Editing Groningen (province) (section)

== History ==
[[File:Groningen (afbeeldinge der stadt Groningen met omliggende fortressen) - Haubois, 1652.jpg|thumb|1652 map of the city of [[Groningen]] and the surrounding [[fortification]]s]]
[[File:Canadian soldiers during the Battle of Groningen.jpg|thumb|Canadian soldiers during the [[Battle of Groningen]] in April 1945]]

Groningen was originally a part of [[Frisia]]. It became a part of the [[Francia|Frankish Empire]] around 785. [[Charlemagne]] assigned the Christianization of this new possession to [[Ludger]].

In the 11th century, the city of Groningen was a village in [[Drenthe]] that belonged to the [[Prince-Bishopric of Utrecht|Bishopric of Utrecht]], while most of the province was in the [[Prince-Bishopric of Münster]].

During the Middle Ages, central control was remote, and the city of Groningen acted as a [[city-state]], exerting a dominating influence on the surrounding [[Ommelanden]]. In the 14th century, Groningen became one of the towns within the [[Hanseatic League]].<ref name="hanseaticleague">[http://toerisme.groningen.nl/en/about-groningen/city-of-groningen/hanzecity Hanseatic city], Toerisms Groningen. Retrieved on 27 January 2014.</ref> In the years after, Groningen expanded its influence. At its peak almost all of the current province Friesland was under the influence and control of Groningen.

Shortly before 1498, [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor]] gave Groningen and Friesland to [[Albert III, Duke of Saxony]], who could however not establish permanent control. In 1514/15 Groningen came to the Duchy of [[Guelders]], and in 1536 as the [[Lordship of Groningen]] to the [[Habsburg Netherlands]].

In 1594, Groningen [[Siege of Groningen (1594)|was conquered]] from the Spanish by the [[Dutch Republic|Republic of the Seven United Provinces]], precursor state of the Netherlands, to which it belonged henceforth.

On 25 December 1717, Groningen suffered a serious impact by a storm in the [[Christmas Flood of 1717|Christmas day floods]]. The result led to the drowning of 14,000 people.

During [[World War II]], the Netherlands were occupied by [[Nazi Germany]]. In April 1945, the [[2nd Canadian Division]] fought in the [[Battle of Groningen]], which resulted in the liberation of the city and in the death of 130, the capture of 5,212, and the fleeing of 2,000 German soldiers. In May 1945, another 3,000 German soldiers were captured in the Battle of Delfzijl by the [[5th Canadian Division]], after which all of the northern provinces were liberated.<ref>[http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/groningen.htm Groningen], Canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref>

East Groningen was the scene of a particularly fierce [[Class conflict|class struggle]] in the 19th and 20th centuries. Perhaps not coincidentally, Groningen boasts the only municipality ([[Beerta]]) where the [[Communist Party of the Netherlands]] has ever had a [[mayor]] ([[Hanneke Jagersma]]).<ref>{{in lang|nl}} "[http://www.dekrantvantoen.nl/vw/article.do?id=NVHN-19820219-AE0001004 Hanneke Jagersma burgemeeste Beerta]", ''[[Nieuwsblad van het Noorden]]'', 1982. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref>