Civics.

​

Civics can also be described as 'rule of law and democracy'. The subject is about the historical development of the Dutch state, and its government.

​

​

The subject consists of five periods:

​

1) 1000-1795: The increasing freedom of cities and provinces in the Low Countries.

​

Aspects:

- City rights.

- The dukedom of Burgundy and the establishment of the States-General.

- The Dutch Revolt (1568-1648) and the house of Orange-Nassau. 

- The formation of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (1588-1795) and its government.

​

​

2) 1781-1813: The establishment of freedom rights and political rights in The Netherlands.

​

Aspects:

- The Enlightenment and Batavian Revolution.

- Van der Capellen tot den Pol: 'To the people of The Netherlands' (pamphlet).

- The Patriot movement.

- The Batavian Republic (1795-1806).

- Creation of a unified state.

- Kingdom of Holland and the French influence (1806-1813).

​

​

3) 1813-1848: The Kingdom of The Netherlands ruled by King William I and II .

​

Aspects:

- The constitutional monarchy and King William I (reign 1815-1840).

- King William II (reign 1840-1849).

- The formation of the parliamentary democracy by Thorbecke.

- The constitution of 1848.

​

​

4) 1848-1917: Political movements and parties which developed the rule of law and democracy.

​

Aspects:

- The rise of the conservative, liberal, confessional and socialist political movements.

- The rise of political parties.

- King William III (reign 1849-1890).

- Feminism.

- Voting right for everyone.

- The constitution of 1917.

​

​

5) 1919-present: Democracy in The Netherlands.

​

Aspects:

- World Wars and financial crisis.

- Queen Wilhelmina (reign 1890-1948).

- The German occupation (1940-1945).

- The creation of the welfare state (1950-1970).

- Queen Juliana (reign 1948-1980).

- Immigrants, social and cultural changes (1960-2001).

- Queen Beatrix (reign 1980-2013).

- The establishment under pressure and the rise of populism (from 2001).

- King Willem-Alexander (since 2013).

​

​