History of the Netherlands: Difference between revisions

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== De terugkomst ==
== De terugkomst ==
When the wars of humiliation come to end in 1857, with the treaty Hamburg, the Netherlands entered a new paradigm. The wars were costly, they had taken away the Dutch monopoly on the china trade, and had taken away valuable islands in the indies. This resulted in an economic depression that lasted roughly three years. It was only when Dirk van Sytzama became prime minister that it changed.
When the wars came to an end in 1857, the Netherlands entered a new reality. The wars of humiliation had been costly to the treasury and on the empire, it had taken away the monopoly on trade with the middle kingdom, and valuable islands and had weakened the position globally. It led to an economic depression that lasted roughly three years, only ending when Dirk van Sytzama became prime minister.
Under him a new political movement became dominant, calling for reforms to strengthen the Netherlands. All the while implementing rules that banned child labour, enacted a working week and ensured fiscal responsibility and administrative reform. His party the Anti-revolutionaire partij (ARP) oversaw the transition from the old “Empire” to the new empire, this being done by the way of economic reforms.


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ARP rule in this period (1861 - 1870) is often characterized by historians for its stability, economic reform and economic growth. While the quality of life improved for the average citizen the Netherlands also became more militaristic, once again like the days of the old republic. With many, a Dutchman saw the loss of the colonies and the wealth due to the weakness.
Dirk van Sytzama was the leader of a new political movement, it called for reforms to the Netherlands economy, more rights for the children, more protection for the average worker and revenge. Under his party, the “Anti revolutie partij” the Netherlands implemented mandatory education, the standard working week, more protection for the average man, more rights, as well as economic reforms.


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==== Rebuilding the military ====
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The period of ARP rule is often characterized by historians for its stability, economic reform and growth. It was during this period that the Netherlands also become more militaristic such as in the days of the Republic. It was seen by many a Dutchman that the loss of the colony and wealth was due to the unwillingness to fight.
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From 1870 onwards as the Netherlands was getting back on its feet, with it exceeding production levels of 1850 for the first time. It became clear to the ruling “Christelijke democraten partij” (CDP), that the world was no longer safe. In the past 20 years since the end of the wars of humiliation, the Netherlands navy had slowly rebuilt itself, yet remained a small but capable navy focused on defence, while the Dutch army was reliant upon 3 professional regiments used for the colonies. This in the eyes of prime minister Floris de Noorman could not continue. What made it more apparent was when tensions arose with Britain over Aceh. It was thus in 1870 that the first of the so-called “Fleet laws” (Vloot wetten) and “Army laws” (Leger wetten) were taken in.


'''Vlootwet'''
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Rebuilding the military

⚫
From 1870 onwards as the Netherlands was getting back on its feet, with it exceeding production levels of 1850 for the first time. It became clear to the ruling “Christelijke democraten partij” (CDP), that the world was no longer safe. In the past 20 years since the end of the wars of humiliation, the Netherlands navy had slowly rebuilt itself, yet remained a small but capable navy focused on defence, while the Dutch army was reliant upon 3 professional regiments used for the colonies. This in the eyes of prime minister Floris de Noorman could not continue. What made it more apparent was when tensions arose with Britain over Aceh. It was thus in 1870 that the first of the so-called “Fleet laws” (Vloot wetten) and “Army laws” (Leger wetten) were taken in.


The Fleet laws were, in essence, large-scale building orders for the Netherlands navy, these laws would be enacted every 5 years, and were long-term oriented. For it was clear to the Dutch officer corp and the members of parliament that the Netherlands had a strong maritime tradition, and some of the largest and most advanced shipyards in Europe but it had to build up its forces.
The Fleet laws were, in essence, large-scale building orders for the Netherlands navy, these laws would be enacted every 5 years, and were long-term oriented. For it was clear to the Dutch officer corp and the members of parliament that the Netherlands had a strong maritime tradition, and some of the largest and most advanced shipyards in Europe but it had to build up its forces.
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These expansions would see the Netherlands by 1900 possessing the second largest fleet in Europe second only to the British. It was a fleet unrivalled by its neighbours and often said to be able to go toe to toe with the British if needed.
These expansions would see the Netherlands by 1900 possessing the second largest fleet in Europe second only to the British. It was a fleet unrivalled by its neighbours and often said to be able to go toe to toe with the British if needed.


Leger Wetten
'''Leger Wetten'''


The army laws were in the same spirit of the fleet laws, they had a focus on professionalizing the military, expanding it and building up its military industry. This saw the enactment of conscription, (Diesntplicht or Nationale dienst). Each man once he turned 18 would serve for a period of 2 years. During this time they learned the basic military skills, it was in essence meant to built up a large pool of manpower. It was during the wars of humiliation that the Netherlands lacked a reserve force.
The army laws were in the same spirit as the fleet laws, they had a focus on professionalizing the military, expanding it and building up its military industry. This saw the enactment of conscription, (Diesntplicht or Nationale dienst). Each man once he turned 18 would serve for a period of 2 years. During this time they learned basic military skills, it was in essence meant to build up a large pool of manpower. During the humiliating wars, the Netherlands lacked a reserve force.


During this period of reform, the Netherlands became more standardised also adopting steel helmets, the field grey uniforms that they would become famous for. All of this resulted in the Netherlands in which it was normal that at least 7 out of 10 males would be part of the reserves, this aided in the militarisation of Dutch society as a whole.
During this period of reform, the Netherlands became more standardized also adopting steel helmets, the field grey uniforms that they would become famous for. All of this resulted in the Netherlands in which it was normal that at least 7 out of 10 males would be part of the reserves, this aided in the militarisation of Dutch society as a whole.


These conscripts where led by a professional core of officers, with 200,000 men being the standing force (professionals). It was during this time that the military was divided into 20 divisions of 10,000 men each. A majority of these forces, at least 12 of the 20 divisions, were stationed throughout the empire, a majority in Tussenlandt. With around 8 at home for home defence.
These conscripts were led by a professional core of officers, with 200,000 men being the standing force (professionals). It was during this time that the military was divided into 20 divisions of 10,000 men each. A majority of these forces, at least 12 of the 20 divisions, were stationed throughout the empire, a majority in Tussenlandt. With around 8 at home for home defence.


Thus when the 1900s came the Netherlands possed a robust, professional and modern military. It was a military that had become known for its professionalism, ability to respond and its brutality in the colonies, it was often said that;
Thus when the 1900s came the Netherlands possed a robust, professional and modern military. It was a military that had become known for its professionalism, ability to respond and its brutality in the colonies, it was often said that;
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“A single Dutchman can equal 10 Frenchmen”
“A single Dutchman can equal 10 Frenchmen”


All of these reforms, combined with the resurgence of the Netherlands economy, its becoming a leader in several parts, made the Netherlands once again one of the “Great powers” with it being considered the 2nd or 3rd power in Europe after Britain or France depending on who you asked. This made the Dutch government confident with its foreign policy more aggressive.


== 1900 to 1939 ==
== 1900 to 1939 ==
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