Today was an interesting lecture about WW2 and its effect on the Netherlands. WW2 didn’t hit the Dutch until 1940. The Dutch preferred to stay out of the war and remain neutral, but Nazi Germany had different plans for the Dutch. On May10th, 1940 the Germans officially invaded the Netherlands. The Queen at the time, Wilhelmina, and the rest of the government officials fled to London. This was at first seen as a shock to the Dutch citizens, and they almost felt abandoned. But time proved that the Queen had made a valid and courageous effort by fleeing to London. There, she could use her majestic and stern voice to give her people hope through speeches on the radio. This was known at the time as “Radio Oranje.” And in fact, a little girl named Anne Frank was “ inspired by an appeal from Radio Oranje to recored the memory of the war for later generations, who developed ambitions to become a writer, had kept a diary.” (pg. 61)
Despite al the effort that the Dutch had put in with resting the Germans, the Bombing of Rotterdam is what made the Netherlands officially surrender on May 15th, 1940. The bombing killed 900 civilians and about 25,000 homes were destroyed. The main center of Rotterdam was destroyed, which is why the city is very metropolitan and modern compared to other cities with the country.
The Dutch are known for remembering their loved ones and armed forces by celebrating National Memorial Day on May 4th. “ The Dutch flag is flown at half-mast and two minutes of silence are observed at eight o’clock in the evening.” ( pg. 57) The official national commencement is held at the National Monument on Dam Square of Amsterdam. The King and Queen attend as well as members of the government and armed forces. This entire event is broadcasted on national television.
It wasn’t until the 1960s when the Dutch changed their perspective on WW2. At first they saw it as a “moral test” but then the Trial of Adolf Eichmann changed their point of view. Facts of the holocaust were given that the Dutch didn’t know previously. They realized that out of 140,000 jews living in the Netherlands, 108,000 were deported to camps and 103,000 were killed. The Dutch had come to realization that 75% of their jewish population had been eradicated… the highest ratio in all of Europe. The Dutch had also come to terms with the fact that they had contributed to the transportation of jews to death camps. During Nazi occupation the Dutch were very law-abiding, and therefore did not put up much of a fight; even when a resistance militia had been made, it was too late. Germans simply found the jewish quarters within cities and “confiscated” the jews out to the train depots. The fact that the Netherlands was so well organized contributed to the transport of the jewish community. Train and tram systems made it almost too easy and efficient for the Nazis to complete their mission.
Today at the Anne Frank House, the visit was very daunting and quite chilling. “ Stepping inside the home of the Frank family that “ lived together in a confined space, sometimes under unbearable tension, for more than two years” was intense. (pg. 61) The walls and flooring were all original as well as the bookcase that was placed in front of the secret door to their annex. Stepping up slowly on each creaky wooden staircase gave quite an eerie feeling. Knowing that Nazi footsteps crept up the same stairs to find the Frank family, and Anne possibly could have heard them daunted on me. I think the most intriguing part of the visit was when we were escorted into the back of the house (thanks to our professor knowing some very important people.) There we were able to see the actual annex and the shuttered windows facing a garden. This was a view that most neighbors would see at the time when the Franks were in hiding. Consequently, it’s the same view that the person(s) who turned in the Franks would have had.
(pictures were not allowed inside the museum house)
Amsterdam to Brussels 