Om het 'moderne beginsel': M.D. van Limburg Stirum en de Antidienstvervangingsbond 1875-1898

The Antidienstvervangingsbond (ADVB) fought conscription replacement in the Dutch military from 1875 to 1898. Wealthy conscripts had been able to have their conscription fulfilled by a paid substitute, known as a remplaçant. Menno David van Limburg Stirum was the founder and remarkable leader of the ADVB who sought to end this injustice. As a former minister of War who had failed to politically accomplish this, Van Stirum aimed to influence political decision-making by influencing the public opinion. The asssociation, which counted more than 9000 members, was disbanded in 1898, shortly after conscription replacement was abolished by law. This study will analyze whether the ADVB was relatively succesful in achieving its goal by comparing it to other Dutch abolishment movements of the time, called 'Afschaffers', such as the Anti-dagbladzegelverbond or the Maatschappij tot Nut van den Javaan. The comparison between the ADVB and the other 'afschaffers' has been drawn with regards to...Show moreThe Antidienstvervangingsbond (ADVB) fought conscription replacement in the Dutch military from 1875 to 1898. Wealthy conscripts had been able to have their conscription fulfilled by a paid substitute, known as a remplaçant. Menno David van Limburg Stirum was the founder and remarkable leader of the ADVB who sought to end this injustice. As a former minister of War who had failed to politically accomplish this, Van Stirum aimed to influence political decision-making by influencing the public opinion. The asssociation, which counted more than 9000 members, was disbanded in 1898, shortly after conscription replacement was abolished by law. This study will analyze whether the ADVB was relatively succesful in achieving its goal by comparing it to other Dutch abolishment movements of the time, called 'Afschaffers', such as the Anti-dagbladzegelverbond or the Maatschappij tot Nut van den Javaan. The comparison between the ADVB and the other 'afschaffers' has been drawn with regards to three different aspects: its methods, its message and the role of the leader. Firstly, the ADVB's methods are very similar to those of the other anti-movements. It is characteristic of the anti-movements that sprouted in the Netherlands from the 1840s and onwards. The message of the ADVB can be divided into three different arguments that they used, categorized as military, moral and social matters. This wide array of problems adressed by the ADVB was somewhat unique, although similarities with other abolishers can certainly be found. However, the aspect that made the ADVB the most unique was its leader. No other Dutch anti-movement had such a profound impression laid upon them as the ADVB had by its founder, Van Limburg Stirum. He was by far the most influential person in the movement, as most of the work, writing and financial support for the ADVB can be attributed to him. Van Stirum also ruled the ADVB with an iron fist. After he died in 1891, the association was only a shadow of its former self. The succes of the ADVB was relatively small, as it did not succeed in quickly reaching its direct goal of abolishment of conscription replacement. Nonetheless, the ADVB was able to effectively spread its message across the Dutch upper class, which was one of its indirect goals. They should therefore be given more credit by historians for the eventual political decision to end conscription replacement.Show less

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Om het 'moderne beginsel': M.D. van Limburg Stirum en de Antidienstvervangingsbond 1875-1898