Flanders

Flanders is an important County in northwestern Belgium, located along the North Sea coast. Until the Burgundian inheritence passed to the House of Habsburg (1482), Flanders was a province of France, rather than the Holy Roman Empire, but is largely Dutch speaking. It remained Catholic during the Reformation. Belgium In the 19th century was governed as a centralized unitarian state with French as the only language of government, education and the administration of justice, even in the Dutch-speaking provinces like Flanders. This mean that Dutch speaking boys had to go to schools thast were taught in French. This of course caused consideral resentment. Native French speakers had an advantage in the schools and in competition for many jobs. A movement started around 1860 to obtain equal rights for Dutch speaking Belgians, but was slow to achieve success--especially under the rule of Leopold II. The Council of Flanders during World War I, believing that the German occupation authorities would encourage secession, proclaimed independence from Belgium on December 22, 1917. This was, however, terminated by German occupation authorities July 25, 1918. The Flemish civil rights movement achieved its first real successes after the World War I (1914-18). The NAZIs on July 29, 1940 during their World War II occupation of Belgium annexed Eupen, Malmedy (site of the SS masacre of American prisoners in the Battlke of the Buldge), and Moresnet to the Reich. I am not sure how the local population reacted. The Flemish civil rights movement gained momentum only after World War II. If the greviances had not been addressed--Belgian probably could not have survived as a united country. The Flemish acquired the right to be taught and judged in Dutch. But even then public life leaned heavily on the use of French. In most schools, French was the "first foreign language" which one was supposed to speak fluently after finishing the sixth form. English was "second foreign language" and considered far less important, being taught only 1-2 hours a week. Under these circumstances, Flanders was, well into the 20th century, some kind of a backwater of the French cultural sphere and out of touch with the world at large. Gradually Flemish schools were able to offer more options. One Dutch reader has provided us information about his Antwerp school. Today the Dutch speaking northern half of Belgium comprises five provinces: from West to East: West-Vlaanderen, Oost-Vlaanderen, Antwerpen, Vlaams Brabant and Limburg. However, the historic medieval county of Flanders was bilingual with both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking areas that are now spread over the provinces of Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen and parts of Northern France, Wallonia, and the Dutch province of Zeeland.

Location

Flanders is an important County in northwestern Belgium, located along the North Sea coast.

History

Ancient history

Medieval history

The Hapburgs

Until the Burgundian inheritence passed to the House of Habsburg (1482), Flanders was a province of France, rather than the Holy Roman Empire, but is largely Dutch speaking. The Low Countries had been acquired by the Hapsburgs as part of the Bourguignon inheritance at the turn of the 16th century. After Emperor Charles V abdicated, the Low Countries devolved to the Spanish Crown.

Dutch War for independence

The northern Netherlands, often supported by England managed to gain and maintain their independence from both Spain and France. Here the Duke of Marlbourogh played a major role in blunnting the aggresive moves of Louis XIV. William of Orange in turn helped to bring about the Glorious Revolution in England which deposed James II.

The Spanish Netherlands

What is now Beligum has variously been described as the Austrian or Spanish Netherlands as well as the Southern Netherlands. While the Spanish lost the northern Netherlands (the modern Netherlands), they were able, however, to retain their authority in Flanders and the southern Netherlands. There was extrodinary violence during the fighting associated with the Dutch War for Independence. Much of Flanders had along with the Dutch become Protestant. As a result of the Spanish persecution of Protestants, Flanders was returned to the Catholic fold.

French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars

France in 1800 as part of the Napoleonic Wars gained control over all of the Low Countries. Napoleon first installed his brother Louis as king of the Netherlands, but after they quarled, he anned the Low Countries, including Flanders Belgium, to France.

Dutch monarchy

After Waterloo in 1815, the Allies at the Council of Vienna joined the Southern and the Northern Netherlands (today Belgium and Holland) to become the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Independent Belgium

Belgium In the 19th century was governed as a centralized unitarian state with French as the only language of government, education and the administration of justice, even in the Dutch-speaking provinces like Flanders. This mean that Dutch speaking boys had to go to schools that were taught in French. This of course caused consideral resentment. Native French speakers had an advantage in the schools and in competition for many jobs. A movement started around 1860 to obtain equal rights for Dutch speaking Belgians, but was slow to achieve success--especially under the rule of Leopold II. The Council of Flanders during World War I, believing that the German occupation authorities would encourage secession, proclaimed independence from Belgium on December 22, 1917. This was, however, terminated by German occupation authorities July 25, 1918. The Flemish civil rights movement achieved its first real successes after the World War I (1914-18). The NAZIs on July 29, 1940 during their World War II occupation of Belgium annexed Eupen, Malmedy (site of the SS masacre of American prisoners in the Battlke of the Bulge), and Moresnet to the Reich. I am not sure how the local population reacted. The Flemish civil rights movement gained momentum only after World War II. If the greviances had not been addressed--Belgian probably could not have survived as a united country. The Flemish acquired the right to be taught and judged in Dutch. But even then public life leaned heavily on the use of French. In most schools, French was the "first foreign language" which one was supposed to speak fluently after finishing the sixth form. English was "second foreign language" and considered far less important, being taught only 1-2 hours a week. Under these circumstances, Flanders was, well into the 20th century, some kind of a backwater of the French cultural sphere and out of touch with the world at large. Gradually Flemish schools were able to offer more options. One Dutch reader has provided us information about his Antwerp school. Today the Dutch speaking northern half of Belgium comprises five provinces: from West to East: West-Vlaanderen, Oost-Vlaanderen, Antwerpen, Vlaams Brabant and Limburg. However, the historic medieval county of Flanders was bilingual with both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking areas that are now spread over the provinces of Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen and parts of Northern France, Wallonia, and the Dutch province of Zeeland.

Flemish Art

Flanders is the Low Country south of the Netherlands. Organizing artists on the basis of modern national boundaries is frought with difficulties. The Flemish painters area case in point. Since 1830 it has been part of Belgium, so the Flemish artists can be considered Belgians on the basis of modern boundaries. As Belgium did not exist in the 16th and 17th century and because the Flemish School was such an important group of artists, we are creating a separate for them in our national section. Most of the great Belgian opainters are in fact Flemish painters from the 16th and 17th century.

Medieval Economy

Medieval Flanders was an agricultural community, but with the development of the textile industry and resulting centers it became the economic heart of Europe, in effect launching the economy of Europe and the modern world. Flanders became one of the world's most industrialised places, a crossways of economically important roads, railways and rivers, with ample access to the North-Sea by the ports of Zeebrugge, Antwerp and Gent.

Modern Flanders

While Flanders is well known to neigboring countries, it is less well know to Americans and others located at some distance from Flanders. The population of Flanders in 1998 is about 6 million. Flanders is one of the most densly populated areas in the world. The primary language is Dutch. Until the 16th century Flanders was part of the Netherlands, religious wars and occupation by the Habpsburgs using Spanish troops divided the country. Brussels was chosen by Flanders as its capital to counter the strong Francophone pressure. The city now has a bilingual statute by Belgian law. Other important cities include: Antwerp, Gent, Kortrijk, Brugge, Aalst, Hasselt, Brussel, St. Niklaas, Oostende, Zeebrugge, Leuven, and Mechelen. Flanders is one of the most heavily industrialized areas of Europe. The main industries in Flanders are now petrochemistry, textiles, agro-industrial processing, electronics, high-tech, steel, car assembly (the largestt car-builder per capita in the world) and service sector. The Flemish movement, especially after universal sufferage in the late 19th century, succeeded in gradually achieving a righfull place for the Dutch Language. Flemish national groups believe that the insistance on linguistic rights saved Flanders from "cultural genocide". Brussels was the only Flemish city where the Frenchificating Belgian policy succeeded, but only partially. Under the federal structure introduced in recent decades the Brussels region, even though it is the location of the Flemish region's administration, is not part of the Flemish region but a region in its own right. Brussels is thus a bilingual enclave inside the Dutch-speaking area, like the hole in a doughnut. Others in Belgium see the conflict between French and Dutch speakers differently. They believe that phrases like "cultural genocide" are "inflammatory nonsense". After the "language fight", groups like the VNJ are now promoting independence for Flanders. Flanders currently has a great deal of autonomy. Flanders has its own parliament and government, with power over economy, public investments, transport, internal affairs, foreign trade, education and the environment. Flemish nationalists contend that the Flemish-Walloon (French speaking Belgians) division is making Belgium into a state which no longer can be governed, and the fact that Flanders in paying huge amounts of money, getting in return only desrespect. This view is very contentious and the subject of an ongoing debate in Flanders and the rest of Belgium.,

Population

The population of Flanders in 1998 is about 6 million. Flanders is one of the most densly populated areas in the world.

Language

The primary language is Dutch. Until the 16th century Flanders was part of the Netherlands, religious wars and occupation by the Habpsburgs using Spanish troops divided the country. Dutch is also spoken in northern--France called "Frans-Vlaanderen". This part of Flanders was annexed by France in the 17th century and contains the famous harbor of Dunkirk (Duinkerken). There is in Frans-Vlaanderen today a growing affinity with Flanders itself. French Flanders (essentially Lille and district plus Dunkirk and Calais) is now almost entirely French speaking. Nobody in the area nowadays actually speaks Dutch. As in several other peripheral parts of France (Brittany, Alsace-Lorraine), the original language was long ago wiped out by the highly centralised state imposing French throughout. The Belgian Government reflected the French approach of cebtralizing its educational system. The Dutch-speaking Flemish people are the majority in Belgium, nevertheless, they remained excluded from political decision making for a long time after Belgium became an independent country. The Flemish movement, especially after universal sufferage, succeeded in gradually achieving a righfull place for the Dutch Language. Brussels was chosen by Flanders as its capital to counter the strong Francophone pressure. The city now has a bilingual statute by Belgian law.

Cities

Brussels was chosen by Flanders as its capital to counter the strong Francophone pressure. The city now has a bilingual statute by Belgian law. Other important cities include: Antwerp, Gent, Kortrijk, Brugge, Aalst, Hasselt, Brussel, St. Niklaas, Oostende, Zeebrugge, Leuven, and Mechelen.

Economy

Flanders is one of the most heavily industrialized areas of Europe. The main industries in Flanders are now petrochemistry, textiles, agro-industrial processing, electronics, high-tech, steel, car assembly (the largestt car-builder per capita in the world) and service sector. Inspite of the highly contentious Belgian tax-laws on labour, Flanders remains one of the most interesting places for foreign investors due to the high education standards. Flanders has the highest productivity per inhabitant in the world, beating even the vaunted Germans and Japanese. The average unemployment rate of Belgium is 13.2 percent, while that of Flanders is only 6 percent. With a ratio of one car per two inhabitants, Flanders is world Leader in penetration grade of cars, ahead of even the car-mad United States.

Political situation

The Flemish movement, especially after universal sufferage in the late 19th century, succeeded in gradually achieving a righfull place for the Dutch Language. Flemish national groups believe that the insistance on linguistic rights saved Flanders from "cultural genocide". Brussels was the only Flemish city where the Frenchificating Belgian policy succeeded, but only partially. Under the federal structure introduced in recent decades the Brussels region, even though it is the location of the Flemish region's administration, is not part of the Flemish region but a region in its own right. Brussels is thus a bilingual enclave inside the Dutch-speaking area, like the hole in a doughnut. Others in Belgium see the conflict between French and Dutch speakers differently. They believe that phrases like "cultural genocide" are "inflammatory nonsense". They point out that Brussels, as a major European trading center, was de facto multilingual for centuries. Over time French became more dominant among the local population (it having long been, as elsewhere, the language of the educated classes and the upper bourgeoisie) and the current figures for the residents of the city itself are 85 percent French-speaking and 15 percent Dutch-speaking, though it is much more evenly balanced if you take the greater Brussels conurbation as a whole. This happened for mainly pragmatic economic reasons: people needed to speak French to get on in business, so many middle-class families of Flemish origin gradually over the generations became bilingual and then in some cases entirely French-speaking. However, many Bruxellois remain functionally bilingual. The French-speakers in Brussels, by the way, are mostly not Walloons, so one should not use the terms Walloonand French-speaking as if they were interchangeable. To put it another way, all Walloons are French-speaking but not all French-speakers are Walloons. However the converse is not true: all Belgian Dutch-speakers are Flemings. (It is all rather complicated for the poor American reader.)

Figure 1.-- The Flemish Government officially recognizes and financially supports five national youth movements. One of these is the Vlaamse Nationale Jeugd (VNJ e.V.). .

Independence Movement

After the "language fight", groups like the VNJ are now promoting independence for Flanders. Flanders currently has a great deal of autonomy. Flanders has its own parliament and government, with power over economy, public investments, transport, internal affairs, foreign trade, education and the environment. Flemish nationalists contend that the Flemish-Walloon (French speaking Belgians) division is making Belgium into a state which no longer can be governed, and the fact that Flanders in paying huge amounts of money, getting in return only desrespect, is turning more and more Flemish people into separatists wanting to do away with Belgium. The Big problem, however. according to nationalists is that the Flemish parliament has no authority over Brussels. Especially in social security, Flanders pays the bill for Wallonia, even up to the point that Flemish workers benefit less of their own social security than their French-speaking collegues. Amongst traditional political parties, Christian democrats, liberals and especially socialists, the latter having the majority in Wallonia, unitarian tendencies however still exist. Nevertheless, federalization of the Belgian social security now is the point on the political agenda. But Flemish nationlits believe that this will no longer save Belgium, as the willingness for division is growing every day. This view by Flemish nationalists is highly contentious. Many Belgians believe that it is composed largely of wishful thinking, and it is really a completely open question whether Belgium, in its modern decentralised federal form, is really ungovernable; only time will tell. Nor is there all that much sign of "the willingness for division growing every day": opinion polls repeatedly show only minority support in Flanders for complete independence. Some Belgians find some of the more extreme Flemish charges unsettling. One reader writes, "I find a rest of the ideology NAZI in tone, rather a sort of "vlanders uber alles". A reader reports, "It is not, thankfully, the opinion of all the Flemish (vlamingen)." A Belgian reader writes, "I think the opinion in vlanderen is changing. The extremist part is very important in Antwerp (Anvers), but not yet the majority and the vlamingen governement are to day forced to change their enemy. It is no more the Walloons but the Flemish independence movement. I hope it is not to late !" The Flemish national movement is one of many independence movements in virtually every European country. It is somewhat different in that the Flemish are a majority. Most of the other independence movements concern minorities. One wonders if the increasing growth of a united Europe (the Euro is the latest step), that many of the independence movements will become moot issues.

Flanders National Day

The National Day of Flanders is July 11. On that day, the Flemish people commemorate the "Slag van de gulden sporen": the battle of the golden spurs. In the Year 1302 a huge French army of Knights came came to Flanders to subdue our country. City militians from Gent, Brugge, Ieper and Kortrijk withstood the French army and defeated them near the city gates of Kortrijk. Among the the booty they found a great quantity of gold spurs from the slain french knights. VNJ bands and units are an important element of the national day parades throughout Flanders.

Flemish Youth Groups

The Flemish Government officially recognizes and financially supports five national youth movements. One of these is the Vlaamse Nationale Jeugd (VNJ e.V.). The Flemish Government is a regional or state government responsibke for matters like education, health, regional economy, environmental and agricultural affairs. It is also responsible for youth policy. The VNJ differs from the other youth movements in Flanders/belgium (Chiro, VVKSM, ...) by its ideology which is explicitly Flemish-nationalist. For the rest the VNJ does in fact the same kind of activities as other youth movements for kids from 6 year old and onwards. [De Greef]

Sources

De Greef, Johan. E-mail message, June 25, 2004.

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Created: 10:17 PM 6/25/2004
Last updated: 11:41 PM 6/25/2004