AH challenge: turn the Netherlands into a medium power

@ Alt History Buff: a united Low Countries would be what the OP requests a medium power. They're too small to be a proper Great Power, but it could become first amongst the medium powers. For this at a minimum the Low Countries should not fall apart (again) though.

I agree that they might eventually hold the status of Spain or Poland, though based more upon wealth than population.

"Great Power" tends to imply a huge size/economy (Germany or Russia) or large foreign empires (France and Britain) or both.
 


I agree that they might eventually hold the status of Spain or Poland, though based more upon wealth than population.

"Great Power" tends to imply a huge size/economy (Germany or Russia) or large foreign empires (France and Britain) or both.

I would suggest that the as late as 1940 the Netherlands was more deserving to be considered a "medium power" than Spain or perhaps even Poland. The Netherlands East Indies was very lucrative colony and the nation was probably among the most technologically sophisticated European nations, its population was well-educated and prosperous, it possessed an advanced indigenous aircraft industry, a large merchant marine, and credible ocean-going navy for a small power. In fact, other than Germany, France, Italy, Britain, and the USSR (all of whom are major powers), who in Europe could be ranked higher?
 
I would suggest that the as late as 1940 the Netherlands was more deserving to be considered a "medium power" than Spain or perhaps even Poland. The Netherlands East Indies was very lucrative colony and the nation was probably among the most technologically sophisticated European nations, its population was well-educated and prosperous, it possessed an advanced indigenous aircraft industry, a large merchant marine, and credible ocean-going navy for a small power. In fact, other than Germany, France, Italy, Britain, and the USSR (all of whom are major powers), who in Europe could be ranked higher?
Really not. The Netherlands during the 19th and early 20th century was actualy rather poor and backwards. There used to be a saying: ïf the world ends, I want to be in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands everything happens 50 years later". I would certainly rank Belgium as higher than the Netherlands in these days.

It was only after the second world war that the Netherlands became one of the more important and rich countries in Europe. The Netherlands in the 19th and early 20th century really suffered from the lack of industrialisation. It was one of the last countries in Europe to industrialise. Basicly, as I always say, don't confuse late 20th century or 17th century Netherlands with 19th century Netherlands. They are very, very different.
 
I find it difficult to envision the Netherlands being anything but a wealthy bit part player in Europe like Portugal, Sweden adn Switzerland. The population just isn't there.

if we would add just the gdp of those countries you get a gdp between that of australia and canada (#11 on the world list, 5th european)

and since when is portugal wealthy?
 
About German parts becoming part of the Netherlands:
With an 17th century or even an 18th century POD I think you can effectively double the Netherlands in size and the Netherlands can still completely absorb and assimilate it into the Netherlands. The Dutch republic probably was that influential in those days, while German nationalism was still too unimportant.

That said, after the Napoleonic wars everything changed. The Dutch economy and influence had already been in decline during the late 18th century, but the French domination and later occupation of the Netherlands completely ruined. The Netherlands emerged out of the Napoleonic wars a poor and broken nation. It economy was in ruin and its reputation completely. Respect for the country was at an all time low. At the same time German nationalism was on the rise. Prussia and Austria were two of the main countries that managed to defeat France. While the Netherlands was on its way down, Germany was on its way up. People in the neighbouring lands started looking more towards Germany than towards the Netherlands (a process that had already started in the late 18th century BTW). Simply put, it would have been a lot harder for the netherlands to absorb parts of Germany than it used to.

Mind you, I believe it still could. At least some minor parts that already had a strong connection to the Netherlands. For example it managed to asimilate northern Limburg, which had been Prussian for a while. The same is true for some former minor enclaves. So I believe that the Netherlands could have absobed more of Germany, like East Frisia or Cleves or Eastern Gueldres. It could not have absorbed large parts, like the Rhineland. A Dutch Rhineland means trouble with the rising Germany in the long term. I realy doubt the people of Koblenz wanted to be Dutch and I don't think Willem I could have convinced them. So I believe expansion east (except in smaller, less important areas) is out of the question for the Netherlands with a POD around 1814.

As I said, that basicly leaves the Southern Netherlands. A more competent king or crown prince could have kept the Netherlands together. With the Wallon industry and the Dutch trade empire the Netherlands will be a force to be reconed with. Surely not a rival of Britain, France, Prussia, Austria or Russia. But above Spain and Italy? Certainly possible. Especialy if they are able to do well on the colonial game. Mind you Indonesia already was the big price. Probably the best colony around (I would say only India is its rival).
 
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