The Netherlands in World War II

Prelude to the War

In World War I the Netherlands succeeded in remaining neutral, although the sympathies were clearly more on the German side than on the British. Relations with Germany had traditionally been better and the memory of the Boer War was fresh. After the end of the war the Kaiser Wilhelm II asked and was given asylum, much to the anger of both Britain and France. A further consequence of the neutrality was that the country had no involvement in the Treaty of Versailles. In fact, the Dutch economy suffered from the financial consequences of the reparation that Germany was made to pay. There was a large influx of children from Germany, Austria and even Hungary who came to stay with Dutch fosterparents as conditions in the hinterland worsened.

Related Topics:
World War I - Netherlands - Germany - Boer War - Kaiser - Wilhelm II - Asylum - Britain - France - Treaty of Versailles - Austria - Hungary

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During the period between the first and second World Wars the Netherlands, like other countries, suffered from the effects of the Great Depression after the Stock market crash of 1929.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - Stock market crash - 1929

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Prime minister Hendrikus Colijn pursued the policy of a strong guilder. This led to a strong currency, avoiding the hyperinflation which arose in Germany, but also caused much poverty according to some economists. The Vereniging Nederlands Fabrikaat (Dutch Product Association) tried to reverse the economic downfall with a campaign Koopt Nederlandsche waar, dan helpen wij elkaar (Buy Dutch goods, so we help each other).

Related Topics:
Hendrikus Colijn - Guilder - Hyperinflation - Poverty

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The poverty caused by the Great Depression helped the rise of some Nazism in the Netherlands. Anton Mussert founded the Nazist Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (National Socialist Movement or NSB). It got almost no votes, but was later made the only allowed political party in the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - Nazism - Anton Mussert - Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging

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Under the influence of the economic depression and the Broken Guns movement, budgetary priorities were not established at the former Ministry of War (now Ministry of Defence).

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