Question

why was the minority french speaking community relatively rich and powerful?

Answer 1

1. The cultural composition of Belgium was complicated.
2. The French speaking population was better read, more qualified and had access to more resources than the native Dutch population.
3. Due to their higher skills and education the French speaking population was able to get better jobs.
4. The French were part of an aristocracy of tradesman and thus were financially also strong.
5. This led to the situation that in the capital city the minority French-speaking group was relatively rich and powerful and numbered more than the Dutch.