Lesson 1 - 1940s and 1950s

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the Netherlands after World War II - The 1940s and 1950s

Lesson series

• What will we do in these lessons?
• What do you need to do during these lessons?
• What is the end result of this lesson series?

the Netherlands after World War II - The 1940s and 1950s

When you look closely at this picture, what can you tell about this woman from the 1950s?

Today's program

1. Pillarisation
2. Reconstruction 
3. Babyboom
4. the Netherlands and the outside world

1 - Pillarisation

• Continuation from before the war
• Division of society in four pillars
• Huge influence on society

Liberals:
As much freedom for the individual as possible + small government.

Socialists:
Equality for everyone. Help (from the government) for the weak in society.

Catholics + Protestants
Society should be based on christian values and ideas

Pillarisation has an influence on

• Newspapers
  
• Radio (and later television)
  
• Unions
  
• Political parties
  
• Clubs (sports, music, etc.)
  
• Schools
• etc. 

Politics

• Prime minister (=most important politician) is Willem Drees. He is a socialist.
• Catholic party (KVP) and socialist party (PvdA) work together to form a government (Rooms-Rode Coalitie / Roman-Red Coalition)

If Willem Drees is a socialist, what does he want to achieve?

Introduction of Welfare State

• After WWII, the Welfare State is created
• Through the state (=all of us) people get help when needed (e.g. unemployed, sick, old, etc.)
• In 1957 the AOW (state pension) starts

2 - Reconstruction

After the war:

• Over 100.000 Jews, Roma and Sinti murdered by the Nazi's
• Over 100.000 soldiers and civilians died during and because of the war 
• Many houses destroyed (huge shortage!)
• Infrastructure destroyed
• Factories destroyed
• Etc

The solution is:

• work hard, but receive low wages
• Obedience
• don't spend money but save or invest
• looking towards the future

Marshall Plan

• American Aid to help rebuild Western Europe 1947

Natural Gas

• Natural gas discovered at Slochteren '59

Some people are optimistic about the future in the 1950s. Why?

Quite a few people (over 400.000) were not optimistic and left the country, especially for Canada and Australia

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3 - Babyboom

• A lot more children were born after the war because of their parents' optimism about the peace
• 1945 - 9 million ---- 1970 - 13 million
• Babyboom generation

What is a consequence for the economy of the babyboom?

4. The Netherlands and the rest of the world

The Netherlands and the rest of the world

• the Netherlands used to be neutral (e.g. WWI)
• After WWII, this changes, partly because of the Cold War
• Most important organisations are NATO and ECSC (now the EU)
• NATO - military alliance to stop the SU
• ECSC - work together (first coal and steel, later other topics as well) to increase wealth + maintain peace and create stronger block against the SU

What is the name of the most important politician in the Netherlands in the 1950s?

Economic help in the 1940s and 1950s came from outside the Netherlands and underneath the soil. Please explain.

Would you have liked to live in this periode? Please explain

Similarities and differences

In the video about the 1950s you will find similiraties and differences with the present. Find at least two of both

Similarities

Differences