The Netherlands in the 1960's
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- During the 1960's, the Dutch pillarised society that had been operating since the late 19th century came to an end. Religious and ideological ties that had kept the Dutch population segregated broke, and people began to question traditional authority.
- The Netherlands in the 1960's became characterised by protests, like many other countries around the world at the same time.
- People began to explore new attitudes and ways of expression.
- Protests were held for nuclear disarmament; against nuclear power plants, colonial wars and apartheid; and against the dictatorships that were present in Greece, Spain and Portugal.
- An example of these protests was held in 1969, when John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a "Bed-In For Peace" for two weeks at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam, to protest wars and promote new ways to find peace.
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- The Provo movement was established in 1965.
- The anarchist group aimed at provoking violent responses from the authorities by using non-violent means.
- It gained prominence by holding a protest at the royal wedding of Princess Beatrix to Clauds von Amsberg, who was German and a member of the Hitler Youth during the Second World War.
- The White Rumour Plan: Rumours were spread around Amsterdam that the Provos were going to place LSD bombs in the water supply, causing the authorities to request military assistance to guard the parade route of the royal wedding.
- During the procession, members of the group let off sugar and nitrate smoke bombs, resulting in the authorities overreacting. The wedding turned into a disaster.
- The Provos won a seat on the Amsterdam city council and developed the "White Plans" - a series of initiatives aimed at dealing with social problems present in Amsterdam.
- The most famous was the "Witte Fietsenplan" (White Bicycle Plan), which aimed at improving public transport in Amsterdam. The Provos proposed banning motorised vehicles in central Amsterdam and that the city provide bikes that were free for public use.
- However, when the proposal was rejected, the group placed 50 white bikes on the street for public use, but they were impounded by the police as they breached the law that restricted people from leaving bikes unlocked.
- The end of the Provos came in 1967, after an official investigation was held into the police brutality during anti-war demonstrations concerning the Vietnam War and the dismissal of Amsterdam's police chief.
Women's Liberation
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- During the 1960's, the Netherlands experienced a revival of feminism.
- Another Provo proposal was the "White Woman Plan". This was an initiative to introduce a network of clinics that provided advice and contraceptives, with the main aim of benefitting women and girls.
- In 1967, the campaign group Man Vrouw Maatschappij (Man Woman Society) was set up to campaign for more freedoms for women, and campaigns such as "Baas in eigen buik" (Boss of my own belly) emerged to campaign for abortion to be legalised.
- During this period, women gained greater financial and sexual freedoms.
- Irene van de Weetering, Provo city councillor in Amsterdam, stated that with the introduction of the birth control pill, women gained freedom to enjoy sexual pleasures.
A Progressive nation
- By the end of the 1960's, the Netherlands had shifted from a conservative pillarised society to one of the most progressive countries in Europe.
- The eruption of self-expression, emancipation and rebellion removed the traditional structures and authority that had been in place since the late 19th century.
Sources
- British Library, Provo, https://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/21cc/counterculture/assaultonculture/provo/provo.html
- Hemka, G, The Sexual Revolution in Amsterdam, https://www.stedelijk.nl/en/digdeeper/sexual-revolution-amsterdam
- Kroes, R. "Recalling the Netherlands in 1968: Trendsetter or Follower", European Journal of American Studies, https://journals.openedition.org/ejas/2902
- Rijks Museum, Emancipation - Youth Culture, https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/rijksstudio/timeline-dutch-history/emancipation---youth-culture
-- Mhairi