Though the process of industrialization was begun in Belgium well before 1830, in was the ensuing decades that witnessed its triumph. By 1870, Belgium, aided by British investments and engineers , was a nation of foundries, factories, and mines. It was the majority of its inhabitants lived in cities and got their livelihood from industry or trade. As early as 1834, the Belgian parliament adopted a plan drawn up by George Stephenson for the construction of a national system of railways railways radiating from Liege and Brussels. Through loans floated in England, the plan was speedily carried into effect.