Flemings and Walloons in Belgium

1. Flemings and Walloons in Belgium Justin, Kim, Anthony, Katherine, and Emma

2. Belgium - Belgium is located in Western Europe near the states of France, Germany, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. - The population is around 10.7 million. • The two main nations in Belgium are the Walloons (French-speakers) and the Flemings (Dutch-speakers).

3. Roots of Belgium • Belgium occupies part of the Roman province of Belgica, named after the Belgae, a people of ancient Gaul • In 57BC Julius Caesar extended the power of Rome to the region, Belgium in present-day • It was overrun by the Franks in the 5th century A.D • By the tenth century, the present-day Belgium became part of the kingdom Lotharingia • Part of the Lotharingia kingdom was a region called, Flanders • By the eleventh century, Flanders held most of present-day Belgium • In the fifteenth century, Burgundy was united with Flanders. • They became known as the “Low Countries” or the “Burgurdian Circle”

4. Flemings vs. Walloons Flemings Population: 5.5 million Religion: Catholic Language: Dutch • The Flemings are usually found in the northern region known as Flanders. Walloons Population: 4 million Religion: Catholic Language: French • The largest concentration of Walloons is located in the southern region of Belgium known as Wallonia.

6. Overview of the Belgian History • In the 10th century, the present-day Belgium was part of the kingdom Lotharingia • By the eleventh century, Flanders held most of present-day Belgium • In the fifteenth century, Burgundy was united with Flanders. • They became known as the “Low Countries” or the “Burgurdian Circle” • Flemish trade and culture flourished following the unity with Burgundy • Under the rule of the Spanish-born Philip II, the period of the “Burgurdian Circle” declined. • In 1580 to 1648, the “Revolt of the Netherlands” lasted until the northern region of the “Low Countries” was recognized as the Dutch Republic.

7. Flanders formed unity with Holland with different culture of rest of the Europe that lead to the “Belgian” rebellion • Belgium became an independent kingdom in 1830 as the European Powers intervened. • In the endorsement of freedom with religions, powers of monarchy, and associations, the unity among Belgians failed. • The neutrality of Belgium in World War I, was violated by Germany to invade in 1914 and occupy the territory until 1918 • Despite the invasion in 1940, Belgium made the remarkable recovery economically in 1945, after the liberation.

8. The Conflict Today • There are currently 3 different regions, each with different languages. • Wallonia: French speakers • Flanders: Dutch speakers • Brussels: Multilingual -Each of these regions is self-governing. • Since 1961 it has been outlawed to conduct a language census in all of Belgium.

9. Flanders Brussels Wallonia