At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Belgium and the Northern Netherlands were combined to form one State. This new state was ruled by King William I. Even though his policy was helpful to the Belgian bourgeoisie (middle class people), there was protest. The Catholics objected against the intervention of the protestant king in secretarial matters. The Liberals demanded more freedom. In 1828, Catholics and Liberals drew up a concentrated programme of demands. The association between Catholics and Liberals was called unionism.