Answer

There are various reasons, ranging from a lack of appreciation of the Flemish language and Flemish culture to the small representation of Dutch-speakers in parliament and government, but probably the most important reason relates to the fact of public life in Flanders prior to 1830 having been systematically Frenchified over a 25-year period. The consequence was that it was considered to be self-evident that officials, judges and teachers (at any rate secondary and university teachers) used French.

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