A geopolitical and social shift in Arcadia. The German occupation of the Netherlands and its impact on Dutch country houses and estates, 1940–1945
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The country houses and picturesque landscapes created by noblemen, regents, and other country house owners were often viewed as Arcadia, as paradise on earth. But during the Second World War, Arcadia became the stage for wartime events. This paper focuses on country houses and estates in the Netherlands during the German occupation, from May 1940 until May 1945. In what ways has WWII resulted in shifting geopolitical and social borders in Arcadia? Over 400 Dutch country houses were confiscated by the German occupiers for both military and civil purposes. Bunkers, anti-tank moats, V1 installations, and trenches were created, greatly altering the estate landscapes. During the liberation, these sites became military targets, as the country houses suddenly became part of the frontline. It even led to geopolitical and social shifts after the war, for instance, with confiscations by the Dutch government of country estates that belonged to German families.
Source: Landscape Research
Author: Elyze Storms-Smeets
Institution: Radboud University Nijmegen
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4413403849