Why Belgium is dividing

Why Belgium is about to be divided
Why this seemingly united country is, in fact, comprised of two distinct regions, each with its own language, culture, and history. Uncover the historical, linguistic, and cultural factors that have shaped Belgium's unique identity. Join us as we delve into the intricacies that make Belgium more than meets the eye.

00:00 Intro
01:28 The linguistic divide
02:03 The linguistic-power-struggle
03:30 The economic divide
04:22 What happens next?
05:20 Consequences and Implications
05:55 Living through differences

Music:

#Belgium #Flanders #Wallonia #CulturalDivide #Geography #Travel #Europe #LinguisticDifferences #PoliticalHistory

[milesworkshop]

I live in Belgium and honestly we aren’t that divided. There are some differences between regions but honestly 90% don’t care that much on the day to day to ever truely consider a divide.

[mrpewpews]

Hey man, I know you don't have many subscribers or views right now, but I know you'll grow big. You keep going and you'll get there in no time! Keep up the great work

[PlayItAgainTubeSam]

"Now, I don't want to complicate things, ..." Sir, you're talking about Belgium.

[jfrancobelge]

One thing to understand is: Belgium is not a united nation, it's a federal country with three nations and a champion in the art of political compromise. This is why and Belgium still exists, and will still exist for some time in spite of all the odds.

[Hamsteak]

Don't forget, it also included Luxembourg

[colincbatch]

The south of Belgium is not called Wall-o-nah.... LOL

[koantao]

Short and to the point with good footage. This channel, which somehow emerged in my viewing options, could go someplace. I subscribed because quality work needs to be encouraged, though it will be tough. Good luck!

[BIGBEN]

Quite some remarques and nuances to make about this complex situation, still: this is - in less than 8 minutes, by god - a far better and more comprehensive summary than most native could give you. Nice job!
This being said: Belgium has been 'dividing' since it was created in 1830, could probably go further that path for quite some time ;-)

[HenkVeenendaal]

Main problem is that it is hard to govern the was it is now. There is the National government, the Flemish government, the Walloon government, the Brussels government and the autonomous German parts have some say in this too, although being part of Wallonia. How do you suggest that works smoothly? Don't forget that the country was supposed to be a buffer between France and Prussia to begin with. It's too complex now.

[romad]

It could start with the German-speaking areas being allowed to choose becoming part of Germany or Luxembourg. Next, it would be up to Flanders & Wallonia to decide to stay together, become independent states, or join with The Netherlands and France, respectively. If the last happens, Flanders would become a province of the Netherlands with Brussels as its capital while France would carve Wallonia into three departments (based on the average 5, 000 sq Km size of a department in France.

[dominiquepeter]

As a dutch speaking belgian:
This linguistic issue is fading away. The younger generation does not mind about it and when young french and dutch speakers meet they switch to english as they do everywhere else.

On the other hand is this linguistic barrier historically very interesting. It is probably one of the oldest borders in Europe, although it has never been a formal frontier between nations.
It goes back to the Roman highway connecting Boulogne-sur-mer in the north of France and Köln in Germany.
North of that highway the Roman influence was small and the area never did get romanized. That is why south of that road people speak a language related to Latin, while north of it people speak a Germanic language.

[funchildrenchannel]

A couple of months ago, I always found reactions on this kind of videos like: "just wait until June 2024 elections". Now... The (semi)pro seperation parties failed to get a 50%+1 majority in just Flanders. In Belgium as a whole the also failed to do this. And the 2/3 majority needed is far away.

Not every voter who votes for those parties want Belgium to split up, but I guess this is also the case the other way around and not everyone who didn't vote for them doesn't want the country to split up.

But multiple polls over the years never showed a majority under the population to split up.

[senben]

I moved to Wallonia first. I couldn't get a job if my life depended on it. I asked for help to get a job from Le Forem and CPAS. They both told me to quote: Move away. Meaning out of Belgium. I did move, but to Flanders. I am thriving in Flanders like never before in my life, despite the fact I can hardly speak a sentence of Dutch. The most prejudiced and exclusionary people I have ever met, are the self-proclaimed humanitarian socialist Walloons. The shame of Europe. Worst experience of my life and my child, never again. I have nothing but a very negative view of Wallonia and French mentality which is the one that exists down there. The Belgian mentality is only found in Flanders

[Katsche]

Good Video. Gretings from Germany :)
Wish you all the best 😊

[Mostirrelevant]

It is a really sensitive topic, and it can be percieved as such by Belgians in general. Further, informations are incomplete and inadequately presented, in my opinion, and it is a complex issue, beyond linguistic borders, and it stretches more centuries before the language division.
Sorry, and I do understand your well intentions.

[geohammel]

Nice video man! How do you do the awesome thumbnails?

[HarunRaffael]

Meh. What should have been the introduction is the whole video.

[Xero]

Chocolates... Waffles... Architecture? You mean beer!

[williamlloyd]

What are they going to call the area Waloonistan?

[McPhysX]

What I don't get in the pro-split narrative: why is the money flow framed as north to south? If you look at only wallonia and flanders this is true, but when you sum the french-speaking regions (wallonia + brussels) and compare that to flemish speaking regions, then it gets pretty even. If flemish people would like their independance by patriotism then I can undersand, but the money flow argument seems complete manipulation to me.