4.6 The Netherlands during WW2

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4.6 The Netherlands during WW2

In this lesson:

- You can give examples of collaboration, resistance and accommodation in the Netherlands during World War II.

First watch the video (link on next slide).

Video is in Dutch/ Questions are in English.Download the file (viewing questions) from Teams:

 bestanden>lesmateriaal>era 9>Interbellum and  WWII.

https://schooltv.nl/video-item/het-verhaal-van-nederland-in-de-klas-bevrijders-en-bezetters

The Netherlands mobilizes

November 1939

• The Dutch government hoped that the Netherlands would remain neutral. Just like they did during WWI.
• In the end, they decided too late to mobilize. 

Germany attacks

10th of May 1940

• On Friday morning, at 3.55 am, the German army attacks the Netherlands who are poorly armed
• There is considerable resistance in places like the Afsluitdijk and the Grebbe linie. However, they could not whitstand the Germany army. 
  

Government in exile

13th of May 1940

• A large part of the Dutch government flees to Great Brittain to stay out of German hands. 
• From London, Queen Wilhelmina will motivate the Dutch not to give up and to fight against the occupiers.

Was the previous picture pro or anti queen Wilhelmina?

1. Pro
2. Anti

Bombing Rotterdam

14th of May 1940

• The Netherlands were able to resist for four days, but the Germans were in a hurry. They bombed Rotterdam and threatend to bomb other cities as well.
• The  bombing only took 15 minutes, but the city centre was completely destroyed. It would be rebuilt after the war

The Netherlands surrenders

15th of May 1940

• The Netherlands has no choice but to surrender. 
• In total, about 2200 people died in May 1940.

Capitulation flag 1940

This flag is made by Sergeant Major Gerrit van Ommering from a bed sheet and a broomstick on 14 May 1940, the day of the bombing of Rotterdam. Waving the flag, he walks from the Dutch military headquarters to that of the Germans several times during the capitulation negotiations in the city.

Part of Germany

29th of May 1940

• The Netherlands becomes a part of Germany: Reichskommissariat Niederlande
• The Austrian Arthur Seyss-Inquart becomes Reichskommisar. 

Make exercises:

Read 4.6.1 and 4.6.2

Explain+give an example for each of the concepts:

accomodation:

resistance:

collaboration:

+ Do ex: 1+4 (+ 5, 6, 7, 8)  

Finished? Make a summary or a mindmap on 4.6.1 and 4.6.2

Closing activity

You will be shown 3 pictures. Try to explain what is happening in each picture. Use the help words at the bottom of the slide.

Starving, Hongerwinter

Rotterdam, bombing

Roosendaal, liberated

Extra materials (in Dutch)

You can watch Histoclips for extra information (in Dutch). The link is on the next slide.