Understanding the Netherlands after World War II
Understanding the Netherlands after World War II As one of many countries heavily impacted by World War II, the Netherlands experienced a massive cultural, economic and political shift within the span of the conflict and its aftermath. In the decades since, many events have shaped the nation-state of the Netherlands we recognize today, but it is important to look back and understand just how the war impacted the country in preparation for the modifications that would take place afterwards. This article documents the most significant differences the Netherlands experienced during and after the war as well as investigating the ways it has reinvented itself since then. The Invasion The Netherlands was one of the first countries to be invaded by Nazi Germany through a large-scale offensive campaign from April and June 1940. German forces were able to quickly defeat Dutch troops and seize the country within days and end the rule of the Dutch government. This occupation caused massive shi...