Although the Netherlands remained neutral during the First World War, its population was nonetheless affected by the war. Already in the 1920s and 1930s, Dutch journalists wrote about the... Show moreAlthough the Netherlands remained neutral during the First World War, its population was nonetheless affected by the war. Already in the 1920s and 1930s, Dutch journalists wrote about the possibility of a war in which the Netherlands would also be involved. From the early 1920s to the German invasion in May 1940, journalists, political commentators, politicians, military officials and civilians were occupied by the question what tomorrow’s war might look like. This book captures their efforts and brings to life the cultural memories of the First World War and the expectations for the war to come.By focusing on the dynamics of cultural memories, predictions for the future, and the resultant fear and anxiety, this book provides a better understanding of the ways in which the cultural memories of the Great War and expectations for a future war were part of Dutch society. It draws from a wide array of sources, ranging from newspaper clippings, novels, films and theatre plays to political cartoons and paintings. Most importantly, this study has a unique perspective. Whereas most existing studies look back from the Second World War, this book instead looks forward from the interbellum. Show less
This article presents a comparative exploration of contemporary memory work related to the wars of the second half of the twentieth century in three Central American countries: El Salvador,... Show moreThis article presents a comparative exploration of contemporary memory work related to the wars of the second half of the twentieth century in three Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. It identifies five different heuristic proposals forwarded to explain the essential features of these wars (including their main causes and consequences). I refer to these heuristic proposals respectively as “imposed oblivion,” “war among brothers,” “revolution,” “anti-communism,” and “disillusionment.” Linked to specific political and historical sectors, these heuristic proposals have different levels of traction in each country. Their study allows to visualize the political arena of memory work in each country, while also providing input for an analysis of similarities and differences in war-related memory work between the three countries. Focusing on memory work as a contentious and relatively fragmented political process, the present article contributes to weighing the contemporary impact of war-related memory work in the Central American societies in question. contemporary impact of war-related memory work in the Central American societies in question.This article presents a comparative exploration of contemporary memory work related to the wars of the second half of the twentieth century in three Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. It identifies five different heuristic proposals forwarded to explain the essential features of these wars (including their main causes and consequences). I refer to these heuristic proposals respectively as “imposed oblivion,” “war among brothers,” “revolution,” “anti-communism,” and “disillusionment.” Linked to specific political and historical sectors, these heuristic proposals have diffe-rent levels of traction in each country. Their study allows to visualize the poli-tical arena of memory work in each country, while also providing input for an analysis of similarities and differences in war-related memory work between the three countries. Focusing on memory work as a contentious and relatively fragmented political process, the present article contributes to weighing the contemporary impact of war-related memory work in the Central American societies in questionThis article presents a comparative exploration of contemporary memory work related to the wars of the second half of the twentieth century in three Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. It identifies five different heuristic proposals forwarded to explain the essential features of these wars (including their main causes and consequences). I refer to these heuristic proposals respectively as “imposed oblivion,” “war among brothers,” “revolution,” “anti-communism,” and “disillusionment.” Linked to specific political and historical sectors, these heuristic proposals have diffe-rent levels of traction in each country. Their study allows to visualize the poli-tical arena of memory work in each country, while also providing input for an analysis of similarities and differences in war-related memory work between the three countries. Focusing on memory work as a contentious and relatively fragmented political process, the present article contributes to weighing the contemporary impact of war-related memory work in the Central American societies in question Show less
