5.2 Democracy in the Nederlands

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

5.2 Democracy in the Netherlands 

Planning

- Last week

- What you'll learn

- explanation

- review

- end of lesson

What you'll learn

In this paragraph, you will learn, 

- how the Netherlands was governed from 1815 onwards

- what influence liberals had

- what changed because of the constitutiom of 1848

- how suffrage was expanded

The estate-based society

The population was divided into estates (especially in France).

First Estate

Clergy

Second estate Nobility 

Third Estate

The rest (merchants, peasants, workers)

The goverment of the Netherlands 

- William Frederik of Orange became the first king of The Netherlands in 1813 

- William I came back from England 

- The estate-based society didn't come back.

Many countries had a constitutional monarchy

Constitution = the basic law or rules of a country

Monarchy = a country ruled by a king or queen

In 1815, the Netherlands and Belgium were united as the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The Parliament (also called the States General) has two parts:

– the First Chamber (Senate)

– the Second Chamber (House of Representatives)

Who had the power?

• New laws had to be approved by Parliament
  
• Still, citizens had little influence
  
• How was that possible?

Who had the power?

How was that possible?

The king chose the members of the First Chamber, and rich regents had a lot of power in the Second Chamber because of a complicated voting system

The king also appointed and dismissed the ministers himself

Liberal infuence

In the first years, the Dutch were satisfied with the authoritarian rule, but the Belgians were not.

In 1830, the Belgians rebelled and established an independent state. The Belgian Revolution!

The leaders of the Belgian Revolution were liberals who sought more freedom in politics (liberalism)

Based on the Enlightenment

They wanted civil liberties

They also wanted citizens to have more influence in politics

Parliament should be elected by citizens and should control the government

In 1840, Willem I was succeeded by his son: Willem II

Liberals also wanted more influence in the government in the Netherlands, just like in Belgium

In 1848, Willem II gave in, out of fear of a popular uprising

In 1848, the constitution was made by the liberal leader Thorbecke!

The constitution of 1848

In the 1848 constitution:

Civil liberties (religion, press, association, and assembly) were established

The Netherlands adopted a parliamentary system (a political system in which parliament holds the highest power)

Prime Minister

The Second Chamber was elected by citizens!

Later, other groups also demanded the right to vote

In 1917, all men gained the right to vote

In 1919, universal suffrage for women was introduced

This made the Netherlands a parliamentary democracy:

– A system of government in which the government is dependent on parliament, which is elected through universal suffrage

Lets get to work!

H5 §2: Democracy in the Netherlands

You understand how the government of the Netherlands has changed.

Task: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 (all may be done in the workbook).

What you'll learn

In this paragraph, you will learn, 

- how the Netherlands was governed from 1815 onwards

- what influence liberals had

- what changed because of the constitutiom of 1848

- how suffrage was expanded

1. The king must obey the law

2. You may say what you think

3. The constitution can only be changed if two consecutive parliaments agree on it

4. You may write what you want

5. Everyone is allowed to establish an association