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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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,…’

5. 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
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

6. Contrasting developments
Prussia became powerful and strong
The Netherlands lost its position
Became a small nation
Uncertainty about the future
: 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

7. Netherlands needed Germany
Dutch financial problems enormous
King Willem I undermined financial stability
Big spender on infrastructure
Used Belgium to pay the Northern bills
: Java war
: 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’

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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