Abstract

The Flemish Movement was born out of the democratic and especially, the national enthusiasm of the Belgian revolution of 1830. lts purpose was the recovery of the people language in public life. Till the defeat of France in the France-German war of 1870-1871 she wanted to protect Belgium from annexation by France. The revolution of 1848 in Europe and the threat of Belgium by «the dictator» Napoleon III, reinforced its democratic character and connected it with the movement for enlargement of the voting-right, for decentralization and anti-militarism. Therefore she was supported also from the Walloon patriots and democrats, especially out of the catholic party.From 1847 onwards its morale and politics which were close to the church opinion, were openly tempted by a group for whom the Flemish Movement had to have a liberal character. In that group, most of them rejected the enlargement of votingright because it would be in the interest of the catholics, and they condamned the cooperation of some liberals with the Flemish minded catholics. The introduction of the universal suffrage in 1893 led to a reinforced Flamingant agitation.She was backed upon the christian-democrat peasant- and labour movement, but did get little response in the socialist party. The interest for political action in the Flemish Movement stayed weak.