13
The Bridge - 1861 - Erasmus+
Foreign Policy in 1861
From 1815 Belgium was a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This was until the Belgian revolution in 1830. The main cause of this was the domination of the Dutch over the economic, political, and social institutions of the Kingdom. The Belgians were against Willem I, because of this revolution an independent Belgium emerged.
After the English abolished slavery in 1833, the French followed in 1848. Both countries had colonies close to Suriname. This led to great unrest for the Dutch, the slaves could escape to those countries. After 15 years, in 1863, this eventually led to slavery being abolished in Suriname.
In the period around 1860 less people started to migrate to the Netherlands. This was because the Netherlands lost their central position in the international trade. Countries like England, Belgium and Germany got an advantage in the industrialization.
The Netherlands often chose to remain neutral in wars or revolutions in other countries. This was a strategic move. When remaining neutral they would be on good terms with both countries. Meaning that they could continue to trade with them, without having to choose one of the two parties.
More than 100,000 Dutch people fought both for the northern and the southern army during the American Civil War.
This is a poem made by a Dutchman about this Civil War.
Arise now, vigilant sons of the Netherlands!
Citizens of America,
Show yourselves to be worthy
Follow the example of your fathers,
You have chosen this land
As your second fatherland,
You have sworn loyalty to the Union.
Pledged yourself to her in need
Arise Batavians! Take up arms
Now the fires of insurrection are burning!
Do not sleep any longer,
Now your fatherland is in need!
Rally round the banners of war
For the salvation of the Union!
This poem was made by a Mr. Grootemaat from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
This is the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1861
Sam Cornelisse & Klaudia Wojczuk
King Willelm II
Belgian revolution. He was very popular in the southern provinces (what is Belgium now). He was active in Brussels as a man who wanted peace, but his father was not of the same mindset. And so Belgium left and Willem II’s relation with his father became more tense. Later his father made him the leader of the military campaign to “recover” Belgium. This plan failed, due to French intervention and many other things.
Revolutions broke out all over Europe. The French the Bourbon-Orleans monarchy that had stolen "his" southern provinces fell. He was warned his kingdom might be next. So he established a more liberal regime. believing it was better to grant reforms instead of having them approach him on less favorable terms later. As he later put it, "I changed from conservative too liberal in one night". He appointed a committee led by Johan Rudolf Thorbecke to create a new constitution. The new document declared that the Eerste Kamer (Senate), previously appointed by the King, would now be elected indirectly by the Provincial States. The Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) would be elected directly by those who paid a certain amount in taxes. Though at first not very notably, royal power decreased; political power passed to the Tweede Kamer. For all intents and purposes the king was now part of government rather than its master. That same constitution is still in effect to this day.