West-German-Dutch trade relations, 1830-1860 Hein A.M. Klemann

Until 1830 Rivalry Netherlands-Prussia: Dutch king Willem I hoped his kingdom would become a major power Prussia stronger but poorer As smallest of the great powers main rival Britain: wanted Dutch as member of Concert of Europe At least in maritime matters Rivalry: Rhine matters Agreed in 1815 in Vienna not implemented Late 1820s: Prussian strength increased 1828: Preussisch-Hessischer Zollverein 1829 Prussian and Netherlands agreed on Rhine matters Same year: Document on Dutch foreign policy: Whenever Prussia would get in trouble elsewhere in Europe the Dutch should: Kick the Prussian troops out of the Citadel of Luxembourg Conquer the Prussian Rhineland

1830s Early 1830: Inquiry among Chambers of Commerce: Should The Netherlands participate in the Prussian Custom Union? At the same time: support for small German states that organized an anti-Prussian trade organization 1833 Ministers: The Hague should start negotiations about a trade agreement Joining the Prussian customs system was out of the question Prussian trade policy not favourable for the Netherlands Ministers: ‘increasing its political influence is one of the main aims of the Prussian court’ 1830: Dutch Kingdom fell apart

King Willem and his Prussian relatives 1830: France and Britain chose the side of Belgium After 1831: Willem I hoped on a general European war to restore his kingdom Also hoped for support of the authoritarian powers: Prussia, Austria, Russia Only moral, military support refused Wanted now a rapprochement to Prussia Politically: Discussion about a military treaty between Prussia, Austria, some smaller German states, Russia and the Netherlands Economically: 1833: Wanted to participate in the Prussian trade policy ‘since such a rapprochement between the two countries regarding their trade relations, would also affect the political relations,…’

General public Most Dutch disliked Germans, just as Germans disliked the Dutch: Germans: ‘Servile, submissive, pedantic and militaristic, overcome by delusions of grandeur and prone to romantic drivel’ Dutch: Had no ideal and were only interested in profits Nonetheless some Dutch thought a German future the only possibility: Only in the period 1830-1850 Netherlands small, economically and financially weak, politically powerless Enormous colonies, but until 1830 not profitable Germany seemed dynamic, especially when the industrialization started in the 1840s Nationalism: not understood but also seemed to add to dynamism Became clear that the German market was essential for the Dutch

Contrasting developments Prussia became powerful and strong The Netherlands lost its position Became a small nation Uncertainty about the future 1830-1850: Only period in Dutch history when there were people pleading for a close cooperation with Prussia Even some who thought it better when the Netherlands would become part of the new Germany Also opposition against such ideas German nationalists: The Netherlands should become part of the coming German Reich

Netherlands needed Germany Dutch financial problems enormous King Willem I undermined financial stability Big spender on infrastructure Used Belgium to pay the Northern bills 1825-1830: Java war 1830-1839: Conflict with Belgians 1839: King abdicated and left his son with half the kingdom and a financial mess Since 1830 Cultural System in Java: Should solve the Dutch financial problems 1844: Minister of colonies and former Governor-General J.C. Baud: Netherland should become member of the Zollverein ‘the most natural method to ensure the benefits of the Dutch geographical position relative to Germany’

The Netherlands and Germany Trade more important for Netherlands than for Zollverein Transit already dominant Not yet coal and raw materials as in the late 19th century: Semi-finished products became even less important Came from England: iron, yarns etc. More and more produced in Germany itself Dutch colonial products dominant Essential for Dutch treasury Profits of the Culture System went to treasury

Table 3 Profits from the Culture System that flew into the treasury

Culture system and Germany Three products dominant in Culture System: Coffee, sugar and indigo Coffee 1843: Dutch export of Java coffee 32 thousand ton, worth 11,5 million To Zollverein: 22 thousand ton, or almost 70% of the Dutch coffee exports, 40% of all Java coffee 59% of German coffee imports Most important German import product 1860: still 46% of the German coffee from Java 1860: 29 thousand ton Competition from Brazilian coffee Transported via Bremen Price Java coffee always 5-25% higher than Brazilian coffee Dominant on German market: price in Amsterdam

Sugar from Dutch Indies Import in Netherlands, raw sugar Export: refined sugar 1843: to Zollverein for 5 million guilders sugar 58% of the export of refined sugar 47% of all Java sugar to Zollverein Indigo: in 1843 for 69% to Zollverein Share of German market decreased, but remained enormous Without the German market no Culture System Without the Culture System, Dutch finance in serious disarray

Netherlands vs. Germany 1830-1860 Economically dependent Germany did not need the Netherlands For trade: new railways Ports of Antwerp of German ports linked with economic centers Netherlands needed Germany For its colonial policy For its national finance For its trade Minister Baud 1843: The profits from the Culture System are the corks on which we float 1844: wanted to participate in Zollverein 1845: German-Belgian trade agreement Wanted to offer Germany a profitable export position on the Dutch Indian market King Willem II refused. Germany: Most important import products: traditional luxuries: sugar, coffee Not yet an industrial country

Netherlands vs. Germany 1830-1860 After 1830: Dutch politically weak Did not believe in future Changed in 1848: Liberal revolution Hardly a revolution, but the Netherlands got a parliamentary system European liberalism and traditional Dutch mistrust against concentration of power Road to democracy seemed clear Already before 184: Dutch nationalists proud on their liberties Now strengthened German no longer seen as a serious political partner