History of New Netherland: Difference between revisions

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In 1955, Edgar Güman finished his two terms as raedspensionaris and is no longer eligible for the position for a third term, despite his popularity. He was succeeded by his wife, Marieke Güman (''née'' Wierinck). Previously, Marieke Güman was part of the First Chamber of the New Netherland States-General from 1947-1951, and has served as the Minister of Labor from 1951-1953. Her government saw the passing of the Social Security Law (''Socialsekerheydswet'') in 1955.
 
==== Pavonia Standoff (1955) ====
In 1955, a political conspiracy to overthrow Marieke Güman's government and install Colonel Johannes Veldthuys as dictator was uncovered before it could happen. Johannes Veldthuys was notable for his views against the Güman administration, having called it a "corrupt aristocracy" in 1954. He was reportedly approached by like-minded wealthy businessmen (who were allegedly opposed to the Guman administration's increasingly strict labor laws) and was convinced to organize a coup. The coup was supposed to happen before Edgar Güman's term ends in 1955 but was delayed due to logistical issues with Veldthuys' brigade.
When Marieke Güman was elected as raedspensionaris, she had already received reports of this alleged secret conspiracy and had ordered a probe into the matter. On 11 November 1955, a government raid was launched at a military base in Camp Laer, Pavonia, where Veldthuys and his brigade were stationed. Members of parliament came to the base and forced Veldthuys and his men to stand down. Several personnel surrendered, however, men loyal to Veldthuys refused to do so, resulting in a 37-hour skirmish with pro-government forces. Veldthuys and his forces were soon overran. He and several members of his brigade were captured and stood trial. [[File:8th regiment soldiers that took part in arresting Veldhuys parading through the marching grounds in Nieuw Amsterdam.jpg|thumb|Armored formations of the 8th regiment that took part in arresting Veldthuys parading through the marching grounds in New Amsterdam.|275x275px]]Although Veldthuys refused to disclose the names of his corporate backers, it is widely believed that a number of influential figures from some of New Netherland's biggest corporations, including some executives from Jonkman Enterprises, Hedel Standard Oil, New Netherland Steel, and Tepperik-Koenders Holdings, were involved. Despite the fact that no one from these organizations has ever faced treason charges, it has contributed to the financial ruin of some of them. Such was the case with Hedel Standard Oil, which suffered a significant loss of investors and ultimately filed for bankruptcy before being absorbed by Jonkman Enterprises (as the Jonkman Oil Company).
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The affair strengthened Marieke Güman's popularity, leading to her reelection as raedspensionaris in the 1959 elections.
 
==== Political realignments in the 1960s ====
== See also ==
By the 1960s, the political dynamics within the Güman bloc began to shift. A growing middle class and increased support for greater economic integration with the Association of North American Nations (ANAN) emerged as dominant trends within the bloc. These shifts in political alignment isolated Marieke Güman and her allies who were concerned about the intensified competition resulting from freer trade with other ANAN members.
 
The disagreement came to a head in January 1963, when a large strike occurred at the New Netherland Steel Company. Güman's administration openly supported the strike, which many within the Güman bloc saw as too radical and as failing to strike a balance between industry and labor interests. As a result, Güman was expelled from the Labor Party. However, the States-General allowed Güman to continue her term given that the upcoming New Netherland General elections were only a month away.
* [[New Netherland]]
 
* [[Tussenland]]
In response to her expulsion, Güman, along with a number of prominent figures from the New Netherland Labor Party, established a new party in February 1963, known as the People's Party. It attracted the Güman bloc's more radical members, effectively leading to the bloc’s disintegration.
* [[Dutch-Mexican War]]
 
The remaining members of the now dysfunctional Güman bloc (initially a coalition between the Free Destiny Party and the New Netherland Labor Party) chose to formalize their alliance by merging into a single political party. This new party, known as the "Nieuw Zeyven Congress" or the Zeyven Party, appealed to the growing middle class and those in favor of stronger integration with the ANAN states. The Zeyven Party was led by [[S. S. de Haaze|S. S. de Haese]], and enjoyed popular support in New Netherland, eventually emerging victorious in the 1963 General Elections.
 
==Zeyven party rule (1963-1971)==
The post-Guman era saw the maturation of Gumanist policies as industrial expansion led to a surge in skilled professions. The new job market, combined with an educated populace, gave rise to a strong middle class. This demographic, characterized by increased disposable income and higher educational attainment, began to exert significant influence, becoming more politically active and consumer-oriented.
 
The Zeyven era was also notable for high annual inflation, driven by rising consumer expenditures, wage hikes, and increased accessibility to credit. These issues compounded and eventually led to the [[New Netherland currency crisis]].
 
===S.S. de Haese administration (1963-1971)===
[[File:S._S._de_Haaze_Ph1.png|thumb|189x189px|Portrait of S.S. de Haese]]
De Haese's economic strategies were crucial to fostering a consumer-centric economy, deviating from the industrial-heavy focus of the previous era. His administration emphasized deregulation favorable to small businesses, facilitating a retail boom, and nurturing a service-oriented sector. Tax incentives for homeowners and credit expansion policies were also enacted.
 
Education policies under de Haese also emphasized quality and competitive standards. In 1965, his government passed the Competitive Education Law, which strengthened educational programs, bolstering teacher training programs, and incentivizing private sector partnerships.
 
====Enhanced regional mobility and inter-American trade====
S.S. de Haese was also instrumental in initiating significant reforms in the [[AmFAST|AmFAST system]] (American Framework for Screening and Travel). In collaboration with neighboring states, New England, Virginia, and Tussenland, de Haese advocated for the expansion of the existing AmFAST pre-check system to include pre-authorized importers, carriers, and drivers, offering expedited clearance for eligible goods, eventually becoming what is today the RAPID system (''Revised American Pre-screening and Identification'' system). This not only strengthened economic ties with neighboring regions but also reinforced New Netherland's stance on enhancing regional trade, mobility, and security.
 
In 1967, S.S. de Haese secured a resounding victory in his bid for re-election, largely attributed to the economic prosperity that characterized his first term.
 
=== Cornelis Holowatie administration (1971-1975) ===
Cornelis Holowatie, former Minister of Trade and Industry under S. S. de Haese, rose to the role of raedspensionaris in 1971. Holowatie was a polarizing figure in New Netherland politics. Being of Ruthenian descent, his ascendancy to the role was a divergence from the traditional Dutch or English lineage of previous leaders. Despite his close ties to De Haese and his credentials within the Zeyven party, his ethnic background was a frequent point of contention in conservative circles in the early years of his tenure.
 
==== 1973 global oil crisis and the inflationary crisis ====
{{Main|1970s Global Oil Crisis|New Netherland currency crisis}}
 
Oil prices peaked during Holowatie's leadership, leading to several economic repercussions, including significant increases in fuel and energy prices, heightened inflation rates, and a growing trade deficit. These economic pressures were not unique to New Netherland but were part of a broader global economic downturn, following the nationalization of the oil industries in the [[United Gulf States]] and other near eastern nations. However, public sentiment primarily focused on the Holowatie's handling of the situation, which was perceived to be inadequate. The economic distress became synonymous with his leadership. This adversely impacted the Zeyven Party's public popularity, giving rise to the Patriotic Revival Movement, a populist political party with ties to the disbanded United Patriotic Front of the 1940s.
 
The rising inflation resulted in emergence to the new economic school of thought known as as [[Chrematic school of economics|chrematic economics]]. Advocates of chrematic economics scrutinized the policies implemented under Holowatie and the Zeyven Party, contending that their strategies of credit expansion and wage hikes increasing the money supply were significant contributors to the inflationary trends.
 
== Patriotic revival movement era (1975-1979) ==
 
=== '''George von Valkenstein administration (1975–1979)''' ===
[[File:RTL Van Valkenstein.jpg|thumb|247x247px|Von Valkenstein in 1976]]
In the 1975 elections, the Patriotic Revival Movement (PRM), led by George von Valkenstein, successfully garnered widespread support through a campaign focused on economic recovery and national resurgence. Capitalizing on public dissatisfaction from the skyrocketing prices, the PRM promised economic stabilization and stronger cooperation within the ANAN. Their platform appealed to a wide voter base, from the economically affected middle class to business sectors seeking a more stable economy.
 
His administration established an economic committee to guide the central bank and implement measures for economic stability post the 1973 oil crisis. Domestically, Valkenstein focused on inflation control and domestic industry stimulation. In foreign policy, he adopted an aggressive stance against Russia, contributing to heightened international tensions. Von Valkenstein was also an avid supporter of space research, supporting the endeavors of the [[American Rocketry Commission]].
 
==== Controversial Tussenlander immigration quota (1976-1979) ====
Valkenstein also introduced a controversial immigration quota for workers immigrating from [[Tussenland]] from 1976-1979, which he saw as a means to counter the gradual rise of unemployment within New Netherlander citizens, who Valkenstein perceived were losing jobs to Tussenlanders. This move was acknowledged and allowed by the [[Tussenland|Tussenlander]] government, led by [[Anssem Sjestakow]], who was concerned with an ongoing brain drain in high-tech industries. However, the move was unpopular within supporters of the ANAN framework.
 
==== Participation in the Alyeskan War of Independence (1978-1979) ====
{{Main|Alyeskan Independence War}}
New Netherland, under von Valkenstein, joined the ANAN coalition to liberate Alyeska from Russian control. New Netherland deployed military assets to Alyeska, including ground troops, air support, and naval forces, to engage in operations against Russia.
 
==== Failure to address inflation ====
[[File:NNL Inflation 1930-1985.png|thumb|284x284px|Inflation in NNL from 1930-1985]]
Despite Von Valkenstein's platform of economic stabilization during his 1975 campaign, his administration was largely ineffective in combating inflation. Despite seeking advice from both [[Leiden school of economics|Leiden]] and [[Chrematic school of economics|Chrematic]] schools of economic thought, Von Valkenstein's policies still often resembled those of his predecessors. Heightened spending during the [[Alyeskan Independence War|Alyeskan War]] was considered a significant contributor to inflation, which surged to 13.12% by the end of von Valkenstein's term, marking an all-time high. This prompted public calls for more decisive measures to tackle the inflationary crisis.
 
== Progressive Party rule (1979-1987) ==
[[File:RTL Russell dForeest.png|thumb|191x191px|Russell d'Foreest in 1983]]
In the 1979 elections, the [[Progressive Party of New Netherland|Progressive Party]] secured a decisive victory, returning to government control after a 52-year absence from holding majority power. Under the leadership of [[Russel d'Foreest]], the party campaigned on a technocratic platform, promising to implement quantitative and scientific methodologies in governance. This approach was in contrast to previous administrations, which d'Foreest criticized for their 'reliance on emotional appeals and subjective decision-making.' This new approach appealed to the public, having been disillusioned by the previous administrations.
 
== See also ==
 
* [[New Netherland]]
* [[Tussenland]]
* [[Dutch-Mexican War]]
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