The Netherlands in World War II

After the war

After the war some people who were thought to have collaborated with the Germans were murdered or punished without trial. Others were sentenced by the Ministry of Justice. Some proved to have been arrested unjustly, and were cleared of charges, sometimes after being into custody for a long periods of time.

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There were plans to annexate a sizeable portion of Germany, which would have doubled the Netherlands. This plan was dropped. But a plan that was executed to some extent was Black Tulip, the deportation of all holders of German passports in the Netherlands. In the end several thousand Germans were deported.

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The bank credits of killed Jewish Dutch are still subjects of trials more than half a century later.

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The end of the war also meant the final loss of the Netherlands East Indies from Dutch control. Following the surrender of the Japanese in the Netherlands East Indies, Indonesian nationalists fought a four year Indonesian war of independence against Dutch and British Commonwealth forces, eventually leading to the Dutch recognition of the independence of Indonesia. Many Dutch and Indonesians emigrated or returned to the Netherlands at this time, resulting in a lasting Indonesian influence in Dutch culture and cuisine.

Related Topics:
Indonesian war of independence - British - Commonwealth - Indonesia

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World War II has left many trails on the Dutch society. On May 4 the Dutch remember the people who died during the war. But also among the living there are many, who still have emotional problems due to the war, the first generation as well as the second. In the year 2000 the government still grants 24,000 people a yearly payment (among them are victims from later wars too, for example the war in Korea).

Related Topics:
May 4 - 2000 - Korea

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