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the Netherlands: 1813 1914
The Kingdom of the Netherlands: 1813 - 1914
1813
King William I
End of the Napoleonic era.
William Frederick, son of William V, is invited to
return to the Netherlands. Two years later he becomes
King William I of the Netherlands. The southern and
northern Netherlands are unified to create a buffer
against the expansionist tendencies of France.Read more
1830
Belgian independence
The Belgians remain opposed to
the unification and the restoration of the monarchy.
They rise in revolt and proclaim their independence.
Nine years later the Netherlands is finally forced by
Britain and France to accept the secession.
Disappointed by events, William I abdicates a year
later.Read more
1848
Constitutional reform
Revolutionary sentiments
throughout Europe again breed unrest in the
Netherlands. King William II is forced to adopt a
liberal stance and agrees to sweeping constitutional
reform. Thorbecke drafts the new constitution, which
introduces the doctrine of ministerial responsibility
for the actions of the monarch.Read more
1870
The Dutch East Indies
The Netherlands is changing
from an agriculturally based community to an
industrialised society. Political and economic
reforms in the mother country are also implemented in
the Dutch East Indies. 'Ethical' colonial policies
are introduced.Read more
1879
The 'school conflict'
Establishment of the
Anti-Revolutionary Party, the oldest political party
in the Netherlands. It is responsible for the 'school
conflict'. The liberals want to keep education
non-denominational and state-run, while the
Protestants and Catholics claim the right to
state-subsidised education in denominational schools.
This is the start of the religious segregation of the
parties which is to dominate Dutch politics for
decades to come.Read more
1890
The regency of Queen Emma
Economic and industrial
development creates a large industrial working class
in the Netherlands. Between 1870 and 1900, this
accounts for some 70 per cent of the working
population. King William III dies in 1890. His
daughter Wilhelmina is too young to succeed him so
her mother, Emma, becomes regent. In 1898, at the age
of 18, Wilhelmina is invested as queen in
Amsterdam.Read more
1894
Foundation of the SDAP
Foundation of the Social
Democratic Labour Party (SDAP): a modern political
party destined to be a major force in 20th-century
Dutch politics.Read more
1917
The Pacification
Turn-of-the-century Dutch
foreign policy is directed at protecting the colonies
and establishing a leading position in international
trade and finance. In European power politics, the
country adopts a strictly neutral stance. The school
conflict is finally settled and universal male
suffrage is introduced.Read more
1793
The Batavian Republic
In 1793, revolutionary France
declares war on the Republic, and two years later
occupies the Netherlands. The Patriots proclaim the
Batavian Republic and abolish the institutions of the
ancien régime. The Republic becomes a unitary state
with a modern constitutionRead more
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Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5
Postbus 90755
2509 LT Den Haag
Tel.: (070) 315 64 00
Fax: (070) 385 40 98
E-mail: webmaster@inghist.nl
Internet: www.inghist.nl
