'De strijd om Amsterdam'. Een nieuwe benadering in het onderzoek naar de NSB

Abstract

‘The Fight for Amsterdam’. A New Approach in Research into the NSB
The main characteristics of the members of the Dutch Nazi-movement (Nationaal- Socialistische Beweging, NSB) are constructed by historians De Jong and De Jonge. Both labeled the members of the NSB as ‘opportunistic’ and ‘isolated’. Up until now, that image has remained unchallenged. Inspired by Aristotle Kallis, Roger Griffin and Robert Paxton, we analyzed the behavior and social position of members of the NSB in Amsterdam during the Second World War in a new way.

By focusing on their actions instead of on ideology, their isolated position can be brought into doubt along with opportunism as the main motivational factor. It is more likely that a combination of idealism, opportunism and social networks led to membership of the NSB. The interaction pattern differed from person to person and per political, economic or social level of communication. The results of this research show that Dutch political history and identity is complex and a lot of research still has to be done in this field.

This article is part of the special issue 'A New Historiography of the Collaboration'.