Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis - Volume 128, Issue 3, 2015

Gender biases and the census of the Roman citizens

The Roman census figures are a fundamental source of demographic information for the classical world. Since the nineteenth century historical demographers have used these figures to calculate the number of Roman citizens. The resulting population figures, however, vary considerably between different interpretations. This article aims to show that the numerical differences can be associated with different views on Roman citizenship. A gender bias played a role, in particular a one-sided emphasis on male citizenship which has kept attention away from women as independent citizens in the census figures. This bias, which is already visible in Roman sources, was strengthened in the nineteenth century. Roman citizenship terminology was used to describe the contemporary liberal citizenship ideal with its emphasis on the male citizen-soldier as the head of his family. This liberal citizenship ideal in return influenced nineteenth-century interpretations of Roman citizenship which are still central to our understanding of the Roman census figures today.

Beyond 1968 historiography? New perspectives on international solidarity movements during the Cold War. Critical reflections and comments from Belgium

To date, accounts of international solidarity movements on behalf of the Third World have remained strongly embedded in 1968 historiography: 1968 studies have understood these movements as a reaction against the Cold War, rather than as a part of it. This article aims to connect the study of international solidarity movements with the broader history of the Cold War. Building on examples drawn from Belgium, which this article identifies as a transnational site of North-South campaigns, it investigates three important issues that have remained largely unexamined in traditional accounts, namely the role of communism, Third World diplomacy, and East-West détente. It argues that cross-fertilization between research fields raises questions about some traditional wisdoms and premises of 1968 literature, opens up new perspectives, and reveals the relevance of international solidarity movements to new histories of the Cold War.

Defence reforms in the seventies. The ‘crisis of the Generals’

The first signs of détente combined with the fresh memory of the Prague Spring led to disagreement over defence policy in Dutch politics at the end of the 1960s. It was in this turbulent period that political and military leaders had to cope with financial problems. Three fully-fledged military branches (Navy, Army, and Air Force) could not be sustained. Radical choices had to be made as operating expenses increased and new equipment became more expensive. However, political disunity caused a two-year paralysis in defence decision-making and reform. This led to a change in civil-military relations, clearly demonstrated when several generals exploited political indecision to promote their own vision for the future of the Defence department. The resulting conflict within the armed forces ultimately led to replacement of the main army leaders, a situation cleverly used by Minister Vredeling of the new Den Uyl Cabinet to put the Defence Ministry in order.

Parliamentarism – the flipside of Europe. The Dutch Parliament and democratic control over the EU

Today, voters and public opinion eye politics with mounting scepticism – politics in general and European politics in particular. The intertwining of domestic and foreign policies, multilayered governance, and the emergence of the European Parliament as a second representative body for (Dutch) citizens are typical developments of the past two decades. All these challenge the authority, competencies, and self-perception of the Tweede Kamer, the lower house in The Hague. Parliament and government in the Netherlands have been aware of these issues since the early days of European integration. The urgency, however, has increased dramatically since the 1990s. This contribution demonstrates that the Tweede Kamer dealt with these dilemmas in a manner characterised by continuity of motives and perspectives, even though strategies changed over time.

Grand Départ. New challenges for sports history in the Netherlands

This article is about Dutch historiography in sports history. What developments, debates, and controversies characterise this historiography? What is the meaning of foreign and interdisciplinary developments for this field of history? And, finally, where is Dutch historiography to be situated? Until recently Dutch sports historiography, publications, and academic structures were dominated by behavioural sciences. Dutch historians have only recently been catching up with international developments in the field, although much work still needs to be done. Several research programs have been set up, and a national network of sports historians has emerged. A central feature in international contemporary sports history, the significance of the cultural turn, is also taken into account in recent Dutch publications and research projects.