<P> The main reason for Brussels being mainly French - speaking was the low social prestige of the Dutch language in Belgium during the 19th century and the severe discrimination of both Dutch as a language and of the Flemings . French was, at that time, the language of the administration, government, culture, law and education . From 1880 onwards, more and more Dutch - speaking people became bilingual and passed only French on to their children, resulting in a rise of monolingual French - speakers after 1910 . Halfway through the 20th century, the number of monolingual French - speakers carried the day over the (mostly) bilingual Flemish inhabitants . Only since the 1960s, after the fixation of the Belgian language border and the socio - economic development of Flanders was in full effect, could Dutch stem the tide of increasing French use . </P> <P> The status of Brussels in a partitioned Belgium is uncertain and a source of considerable debate . </P> <Dl> <Dt> Union with Flanders </Dt> </Dl> <Dt> Union with Flanders </Dt>

What was the reason for conflict in belgium