the country declared its independence from the Netherlands in 1830(Belgium has already been part of Spain, France, the Netherlands and Austria) . At the time, the very rich and noblepeople in Flanders spoke French, and Flemish was for the poor people. Frenc was the only official Language. But Flemish finally imposed itself as the language for everybody in Flanders (north of Belgium, that is).Flemish became the second official language in the end of the 19s. In the '60, a lot of people in Flanders wanted to show they were pround from their heritage and they even kicked out of Flanders the French speaking part of a well know university (which was rebuilt somewhere in Wallonia, we had to create a new city for it).
In the 90's the country was divided into 2 principal regions and Belgium became a federal state.
It seems that the country got united because of some religious reason at one point and then because other states wanted the region to be a part of their country. The Belgian people apparently got fed up to be invaded by all their neighbors claiming the country was theirs.
Now there never was a war between people, but some Flemish wishes Flandern to be an independant country because Wallonia has more unemployed people now (because our economy was mainly industries -for steel, coal,...- which close down a while ago because the coal left is too deep and it is to expensive to dig for it, and steel because it is cheaper to produce it in china). Flanders has an economy more nased on services and has the haven of Antwerp as an important source of money.
Now a little less than 60% of the population speaks Flemish.
Sometimes i feel like the only thing that still tights the country together is the Monarchy. The king is more of a symbol and doesnt really participate in politics though.
I dont know what would become of Wallonia if the Flanders gets its independance one day. They certainly have ressources to live by themselves, but i dont thibg Wallonia could. And returning to France wouldnt be a well tolerated proposition.
I know how our school system in Wallonia works, but we dont have that much contacts with Flemish people, since the 2 communities are in 2 different parts of the country. And now, it would be difficult for most of the people to talk with someone of the other community because we dont master very well the other language. If i met a Flemish, i would talk with him in English because i cant speak Flemish anymore. I can still understand when i read but thats all. The linguistic difference is probabily a reason why Flemish and french speakin people dont have a lot of contacts with each other.
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