Discover the Canon of the Netherlands: the 50 most significant events and figures

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The key aspects of Dutch culture and history are passed on to new generations through the school system. The canon is used in teaching at primary school and in the early years of secondary school.

The canon can also help with integration. And the canon can strengthen the sense of national identity.

The canon presents Dutch history in chronological order. It does so through 50 key events, figures and developments. Together, thez have shaped the Netherlands. These topics continue to influence society, culture and politics.

The canon provides a clear picture of Dutch culture and history. It highlights memorable moments, but also takes a critical look at the past.

Below is an overview of the different periods in Dutch history. Some of the topics in this overview have already been covered in more detail in an article on RefugeeHelp. More topics will be covered in the near future.

• Prehistory and Antiquity (up to 500)

In prehistoric times, people lived as hunters and gatherers (c. 5500 BC). They lived off the land. Later, farmers arrived. They buried their dead in dolmens (c. 3000 BC). The Romans brought about major changes: the Roman Limes (47 – c. 350) marked the northern border of their empire and brought trade, roads and culture. In this period, we see how the first inhabitants of the Netherlands lived. And we see the influence of the Romans.

• Early Middle Ages (500–1000)

After the Roman period, Christianity spread throughout the Low Countries. Missionaries such as Willibrord (658–739) played an important role in this. Emperor Charlemagne (742–814) built a vast empire. Greater unity emerged in governance and culture. During this period, we see the transition from loose tribes to organised empires. Power and religion were closely intertwined.

• Late Middle Ages (1000–1500)

In the late Middle Ages, trade and towns flourished. The Hanseatic League (1356–c. 1450) fostered cooperation between trading towns. The Dutch language also developed during this period. A notable example is the poem “Hebban olla vogala” (c. 1075). There were painters such as Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450–1516). Mary of Burgundy (1457–1482) played an important role in politics. During this period, we see a flourishing of culture, the economy and governance in the Low Countries.

• Renaissance & Revolt (1500 – 1600)

During the Renaissance, people began to think differently about humanity and society. One example of this is Erasmus (c. 1469–1536). Resistance to Spanish rule in the Netherlands also grew. William of Orange (1533–1584) became the leader of the Revolt (1566–1581). The Revolt began with the Iconoclastic Fury and led to the Act of Abjuration. This marked the beginning of an independent, new state.

• The Golden Age (1600–1700)

The 17th century was a period of great prosperity. Trade conducted by the

• The Enlightenment & Revolutions (1700–1800)

In the 18th century, reason and science were of great importance. Eise Eisinga (1744–1828) built a planetarium, and the book *Sara Burgerhart* (1782) dealt with the topic of freedom. The Patriots (1780–1795) sought greater democracy. Everything changed with the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821). That marked the beginning of the French period in the Netherlands. The old order disappeared and a new era dawned.

• 19th century: The Kingdom and industrialisation

After the French period, the Netherlands became a kingdom. The first king was William I (1772–1843). The Netherlands modernised rapidly: the first railway line (1839) improved transport and the Constitution (1848) laid the foundations for democracy. The novel Max Havelaar (1860) described the dire conditions in the Dutch East Indies. Van Houten’s Child Welfare Act (1863–1901) protected children. Artists such as Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) and reformers such as Aletta Jacobs (1854–1929) played a major role. The Port of Rotterdam also grew (from around 1880).

• 20th Century: War and Change

There were many wars in the 20th century. During the First World War (1914–1918), the Netherlands remained neutral. During the Second World War (1940–1945), the Netherlands was occupied and Jewish people were persecuted, as illustrated by the story of Anne Frank (1929–1945). Anton de Kom (1898–1945) fought against injustice. After the war came the Indonesian struggle for independence (1945–1949). During this period, we see the consequences of war and colonialism.

• Post-war period (1945–2000)

After 1945, Europe was rebuilt. European countries began to cooperate more closely. The North Sea flood of 1953 highlighted the struggle against the elements. Television (from 1948) changed everyday life. The

• Contemporary period (2000 – present)

New issues are now coming to the fore. Energy and the environment are key concerns, as seen in the case of coal and gas (1974–2023). The link with the Caribbean (1975–2010) remains important. International responsibility is evident in the case of Srebrenica (1995). At the same time, sport brings people together through the ‘Oranjegevoel’ (since 1974). We see how the Netherlands is dealing with globalisation, diversity and major social challenges.

History does not change, but our perspective on it does. That is why the canon is sometimes revised. This ensures it better reflects new insights.

The main criticism of the 2006 canon concerned the gender balance. Of the 50 entries, only 3 were about women. There was also growing criticism of the ‘dark chapters’ in the canon, such as the history of slavery. Many people felt that the canon presented an overly rosy and positive picture of the Netherlands as a successful country.

That is why the canon was revised in 2020. Greater emphasis is now placed on diversity, such as the role of women, migrants and different regions. There is also a greater focus on difficult topics, such as slavery and colonialism.