EXAM QUESTIONS
MOCK
PART 1: KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS (30 MINUTES, ANSWERS OF AT MOST 25 WORDS, 2 POINTS
PER QUESTION)
1. WHAT WAS THE LIMES, AND WHERE WAS IT SITUATED IN THE LOW COUNTRIES?
The border of the Roman Empire, with the river Rhine in the Low Countries as the northern border.
2. WHAT RELATIONSHIP DID RORIK THE DANE HAVE WITH THE FRANKISH PRINCES DURING THE
9TH CENTURY?
From 840, Rorik held several parts of Frisia as fiefs from the Frankish princes in exchange of political and
military support.
3. WHEN DID THE BATTLE OF ANE TAKE PLACE, AND WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS
BATTLE?
In 1227. The bishop of Utrecht lost his authority / prestige in Drenthe and Groningen.
4. WHO WAS THE PREDECESSOR OF DUKE PHILIP THE GOOD IN THE COUNTY OF HOLLAND?
Jacqueline of Bavaria
5. WHICH RELIGIOUS IDEA LED ADHERENTS OF THE MODERN DEVOTION TO CRITICISE THE
CHURCH?
They stressed people’s personal experience of the faith and rejected the Church’s exterior religion.
6. WHICH GROUP OF PROTESTANTS DID THE HABSBURG REGIME PROSECUTE THE MOST IN THE
NETHERLANDS DURING THE 16TH CENTURY, AND WHY PARTICULARLY THIS GROUP?
The Anabaptists, because of their violent capture of Munster (and/or attempts in Amsterdam, near Bolsward)
and / or their refusal to follow the secular authorities.
(name = 1 point and one good reason = 1 point)
7. IN WHAT YEAR WAS THE DUTCH WEST-INDIAN COMPANY FOUNDED, AND WHY WAS THIS
COMPANY FOUNDED IN THIS YEAR AND NOT EARLIER?
In 1621. The Republic had agreed with Spain not to establish a trading company in the Atlantic area / the West
Indies during the Twelve Years’ Truce, which ended in 1621.
(name = 1 point and one good reason = 1 point)
8. WHAT DID JAN ADRIAENSZ. LEEGHWATER ACHIEVE DURING HIS CAREER; IN OTHER WORDS,
WHAT DID HE CONTRIBUTE TO THE HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS?
During the 17th century, he developed the draining technique (with mills) to reclaim land, e.g. the Beemster
polder.
9. MENTION ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE RIOTS OF 1748.
,The tax farming system, which had exploited the people very much, and dissatisfaction because of the regents’
abuse of power.
10. WHAT WAS THE DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF STOPPING WILHELMINA OF PRUSSIA IN 1787 AT
GOEJANVERWELLESLUIS, AT THE BORDER OF THE PROVINCES OF UTRECHT AND HOLLAND?
Her brother, the King of Prussia restored the Stadtholder in his position, and the Patriots lost their struggle.
11. EXPLAIN THE NAME OF THE ‘BATAVIAN REPUBLIC’. IN WHICH YEARS OF DUTCH HISTORY DID
THIS REPUBLIC EXIST?
It is a reference to the Batavian tribe, which rebelled against the Romans. It existed from 1795 to 1806. (1801 is
also correct, when the Batavian Commonwealth is considered as its successor.)
12. HOW DID THE POSITION OF THE SECOND CHAMBER CHANGE FROM THE 1815
CONSTITUTION TO THE 1848 CONSTITUTION?
The electorate chose its more powerful members directly from 1848; before the Provincial States had chosen
them.
13. WHO BECAME FAMOUS FOR HIS CRITICISM OF DUTCH COLONIAL RULE IN THE DUTCH (OR
NETHERLANDS) EAST INDIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY, AND HOW DID HE
PRESENT HIS CRITICISM?
Eduard Douwes Dekker (or his pseudonym Multatuli), who wrote the novel Max Havelaar to criticize the Dutch
colonial rule (with the Cultivation sysem).
14. MENTION TWO PROBLEMS THE NETHERLANDS FACED DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
Many refugees from Belgium, including British soldiers; continuation of trade with the belligerents; shortage of
products; the Zuiderzee flood.
15. WHO WAS HENDRIK COLIJN, AND TO WHICH POLITICAL PARTY DID HE BELONG?
He was prime minister of several cabinets during the 1930s and he belonged to the ARP (=Anti-Revolutionary
Party). [He was also prime minister in 1925-6, but this is not necessary to mention.)
16. WHY DID IT TAKE SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THE NETHERLANDS ACCEPTED THE
INDEPENDENCE OF INDONESIA AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR?
Many leading Dutch politicians wished the continuation of the Dutch colonial empire, because they expected a
lower international prestige when they would lose Indonesia.
17. WHEN AND WHY DID ‘COFFEE SHOPS’ BECOME A TYPICAL DUTCH PHENOMENON?
During the 1970s, when the Dutch government tolerated the sale of cannabis / soft drugs.
18. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE TERM ‘HOLLANDITIS’?
The Dutch protests against nuclear weapons, which were copied in other European countries.
19. WHY IS THE PERIOD 1994-2002 KNOWN AS THE ‘PURPLE YEARS’ IN DUTCH POLITICAL
HISTORY?
In these years, the Dutch coalitions were formed by the liberals of VVD (blue), and the socialists of PvdA (red).
Blue and red makes purple. (The green of D66 did not alter this color.)
, 20. WHY HAVE MOST DUTCH POLITICAL PARTIES REFUSED TO COLLABORATE WITH GEERT
WILDERS OVER THE LAST DECADE?
Because of his radical (rather racist) views against Muslims and refugees(, and, although less, his wish to leave
the European Union)
PART 2: INSIGHT QUESTIONS
1. ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY, 15 MINUTES, AT MOST 300 WORDS, 15 POINTS
An important aspect of Ancient and Medieval History of the Low Countries is the spread of Christianity.
WHEN DID THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY BEGIN IN THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE LOW COUNTRIES?
(1 POINT)
a. In the 4th century.
WHY WAS THIS EARLIER IN THE SOUTHERN THAN IN THE NORTHERN PARTS OF THE LOW
COUNTRIES? (2 POINTS)
b. Because the northern parts had not belonged to the Roman Empire.
WHICH THREE STAGES CAN BE DISTINGUISHED IN THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE NORTHERN
PARTS OF THE LOW COUNTRIES? INCLUDE IN YOUR ANSWER WHAT KIND OF PERSONS AND / OR
INSTITUTIONS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SPREAD. (9 POINTS)
c. During the first stage in the period the reigns of the Pippinides and Carolingians (8th and 9th centuries ),
particularly Anglo Saxon missionaries were active in the christening process. Important names are Boniface,
who was murdered near Dokkum in 754, and Willibrord, who became the first bishop of Utrecht. During the
second stage, the 10th-12th centuries, the christening was continued by monasteries, which had the support of
local nobles. Since the end of the 12th century, the Church in the Low Countries expanded its churchly
structure with monasteries and parish churches, which led to a deepening of Christianization.
WHAT ARE PRINCE-BISHOPS? NAME TWO TERRITORIES WITH PRINCE-BISHOPS IN THE LOW
COUNTRIES (3 POINTS)
d. They are sovereigns / monarchs with both spiritual and secular power in their territories. The examples in
the Low Countries are Luik/Liège, Utrecht, Cambrai/Kamerijk.
2. EARLY MODERN HISTORY, 15 MINUTES, AT MOST 300 WORDS, 15 POINTS
The grand pensionary of Holland and the provincial stadtholderate were powerful positions in the Dutch
Republic.
A. WHICH POLITICAL LIMITS DID THESE POSITIONS HAVE? GIVE A SHORT IMPRESSION OF THE
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BOTH THE GRAND PENSIONARY OF HOLLAND AND THE
PROVINCIAL STADTHOLDERATE. (6 POINTS)
a. Above all, it must be made clear that both officers were subordinate to the sovereign States. The Holland
grand pensionary, however, was powerful in his province due to his leading position in the States’ meetings,
and his participation in the Holland delegation to the States-General. Furthermore, he took care of the Dutch
Republic’s foreign contacts. He had to gain prestige, however, by his personal activities. The stadtholders were
members of the Nassau families, which gave them prestige from birth. They were military leaders and had
several administrative rights.
B. WHY DID SEVERAL PROVINCES HAVE STADTHOLDERLESS ERAS? (4 POINTS)
MOCK
PART 1: KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS (30 MINUTES, ANSWERS OF AT MOST 25 WORDS, 2 POINTS
PER QUESTION)
1. WHAT WAS THE LIMES, AND WHERE WAS IT SITUATED IN THE LOW COUNTRIES?
The border of the Roman Empire, with the river Rhine in the Low Countries as the northern border.
2. WHAT RELATIONSHIP DID RORIK THE DANE HAVE WITH THE FRANKISH PRINCES DURING THE
9TH CENTURY?
From 840, Rorik held several parts of Frisia as fiefs from the Frankish princes in exchange of political and
military support.
3. WHEN DID THE BATTLE OF ANE TAKE PLACE, AND WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS
BATTLE?
In 1227. The bishop of Utrecht lost his authority / prestige in Drenthe and Groningen.
4. WHO WAS THE PREDECESSOR OF DUKE PHILIP THE GOOD IN THE COUNTY OF HOLLAND?
Jacqueline of Bavaria
5. WHICH RELIGIOUS IDEA LED ADHERENTS OF THE MODERN DEVOTION TO CRITICISE THE
CHURCH?
They stressed people’s personal experience of the faith and rejected the Church’s exterior religion.
6. WHICH GROUP OF PROTESTANTS DID THE HABSBURG REGIME PROSECUTE THE MOST IN THE
NETHERLANDS DURING THE 16TH CENTURY, AND WHY PARTICULARLY THIS GROUP?
The Anabaptists, because of their violent capture of Munster (and/or attempts in Amsterdam, near Bolsward)
and / or their refusal to follow the secular authorities.
(name = 1 point and one good reason = 1 point)
7. IN WHAT YEAR WAS THE DUTCH WEST-INDIAN COMPANY FOUNDED, AND WHY WAS THIS
COMPANY FOUNDED IN THIS YEAR AND NOT EARLIER?
In 1621. The Republic had agreed with Spain not to establish a trading company in the Atlantic area / the West
Indies during the Twelve Years’ Truce, which ended in 1621.
(name = 1 point and one good reason = 1 point)
8. WHAT DID JAN ADRIAENSZ. LEEGHWATER ACHIEVE DURING HIS CAREER; IN OTHER WORDS,
WHAT DID HE CONTRIBUTE TO THE HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS?
During the 17th century, he developed the draining technique (with mills) to reclaim land, e.g. the Beemster
polder.
9. MENTION ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE RIOTS OF 1748.
,The tax farming system, which had exploited the people very much, and dissatisfaction because of the regents’
abuse of power.
10. WHAT WAS THE DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF STOPPING WILHELMINA OF PRUSSIA IN 1787 AT
GOEJANVERWELLESLUIS, AT THE BORDER OF THE PROVINCES OF UTRECHT AND HOLLAND?
Her brother, the King of Prussia restored the Stadtholder in his position, and the Patriots lost their struggle.
11. EXPLAIN THE NAME OF THE ‘BATAVIAN REPUBLIC’. IN WHICH YEARS OF DUTCH HISTORY DID
THIS REPUBLIC EXIST?
It is a reference to the Batavian tribe, which rebelled against the Romans. It existed from 1795 to 1806. (1801 is
also correct, when the Batavian Commonwealth is considered as its successor.)
12. HOW DID THE POSITION OF THE SECOND CHAMBER CHANGE FROM THE 1815
CONSTITUTION TO THE 1848 CONSTITUTION?
The electorate chose its more powerful members directly from 1848; before the Provincial States had chosen
them.
13. WHO BECAME FAMOUS FOR HIS CRITICISM OF DUTCH COLONIAL RULE IN THE DUTCH (OR
NETHERLANDS) EAST INDIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY, AND HOW DID HE
PRESENT HIS CRITICISM?
Eduard Douwes Dekker (or his pseudonym Multatuli), who wrote the novel Max Havelaar to criticize the Dutch
colonial rule (with the Cultivation sysem).
14. MENTION TWO PROBLEMS THE NETHERLANDS FACED DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
Many refugees from Belgium, including British soldiers; continuation of trade with the belligerents; shortage of
products; the Zuiderzee flood.
15. WHO WAS HENDRIK COLIJN, AND TO WHICH POLITICAL PARTY DID HE BELONG?
He was prime minister of several cabinets during the 1930s and he belonged to the ARP (=Anti-Revolutionary
Party). [He was also prime minister in 1925-6, but this is not necessary to mention.)
16. WHY DID IT TAKE SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THE NETHERLANDS ACCEPTED THE
INDEPENDENCE OF INDONESIA AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR?
Many leading Dutch politicians wished the continuation of the Dutch colonial empire, because they expected a
lower international prestige when they would lose Indonesia.
17. WHEN AND WHY DID ‘COFFEE SHOPS’ BECOME A TYPICAL DUTCH PHENOMENON?
During the 1970s, when the Dutch government tolerated the sale of cannabis / soft drugs.
18. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE TERM ‘HOLLANDITIS’?
The Dutch protests against nuclear weapons, which were copied in other European countries.
19. WHY IS THE PERIOD 1994-2002 KNOWN AS THE ‘PURPLE YEARS’ IN DUTCH POLITICAL
HISTORY?
In these years, the Dutch coalitions were formed by the liberals of VVD (blue), and the socialists of PvdA (red).
Blue and red makes purple. (The green of D66 did not alter this color.)
, 20. WHY HAVE MOST DUTCH POLITICAL PARTIES REFUSED TO COLLABORATE WITH GEERT
WILDERS OVER THE LAST DECADE?
Because of his radical (rather racist) views against Muslims and refugees(, and, although less, his wish to leave
the European Union)
PART 2: INSIGHT QUESTIONS
1. ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY, 15 MINUTES, AT MOST 300 WORDS, 15 POINTS
An important aspect of Ancient and Medieval History of the Low Countries is the spread of Christianity.
WHEN DID THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY BEGIN IN THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE LOW COUNTRIES?
(1 POINT)
a. In the 4th century.
WHY WAS THIS EARLIER IN THE SOUTHERN THAN IN THE NORTHERN PARTS OF THE LOW
COUNTRIES? (2 POINTS)
b. Because the northern parts had not belonged to the Roman Empire.
WHICH THREE STAGES CAN BE DISTINGUISHED IN THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE NORTHERN
PARTS OF THE LOW COUNTRIES? INCLUDE IN YOUR ANSWER WHAT KIND OF PERSONS AND / OR
INSTITUTIONS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SPREAD. (9 POINTS)
c. During the first stage in the period the reigns of the Pippinides and Carolingians (8th and 9th centuries ),
particularly Anglo Saxon missionaries were active in the christening process. Important names are Boniface,
who was murdered near Dokkum in 754, and Willibrord, who became the first bishop of Utrecht. During the
second stage, the 10th-12th centuries, the christening was continued by monasteries, which had the support of
local nobles. Since the end of the 12th century, the Church in the Low Countries expanded its churchly
structure with monasteries and parish churches, which led to a deepening of Christianization.
WHAT ARE PRINCE-BISHOPS? NAME TWO TERRITORIES WITH PRINCE-BISHOPS IN THE LOW
COUNTRIES (3 POINTS)
d. They are sovereigns / monarchs with both spiritual and secular power in their territories. The examples in
the Low Countries are Luik/Liège, Utrecht, Cambrai/Kamerijk.
2. EARLY MODERN HISTORY, 15 MINUTES, AT MOST 300 WORDS, 15 POINTS
The grand pensionary of Holland and the provincial stadtholderate were powerful positions in the Dutch
Republic.
A. WHICH POLITICAL LIMITS DID THESE POSITIONS HAVE? GIVE A SHORT IMPRESSION OF THE
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BOTH THE GRAND PENSIONARY OF HOLLAND AND THE
PROVINCIAL STADTHOLDERATE. (6 POINTS)
a. Above all, it must be made clear that both officers were subordinate to the sovereign States. The Holland
grand pensionary, however, was powerful in his province due to his leading position in the States’ meetings,
and his participation in the Holland delegation to the States-General. Furthermore, he took care of the Dutch
Republic’s foreign contacts. He had to gain prestige, however, by his personal activities. The stadtholders were
members of the Nassau families, which gave them prestige from birth. They were military leaders and had
several administrative rights.
B. WHY DID SEVERAL PROVINCES HAVE STADTHOLDERLESS ERAS? (4 POINTS)
