In deze masterscriptie is onderzoek gedaan naar de beeldtraditie van het mythologische verhaal van het offer van Iphigenia. De belangrijkste onderzoeksvraag was hoe dit verhaal in de Noord...Show moreIn deze masterscriptie is onderzoek gedaan naar de beeldtraditie van het mythologische verhaal van het offer van Iphigenia. De belangrijkste onderzoeksvraag was hoe dit verhaal in de Noord-Nederlandse schilderkunst van de zeventiende eeuw is uitgebeeld en hoe het verhaal in deze periode werd geïnterpreteerd.Show less
Het Nederlandse en Engelse discours over ‘bedreigde kinderen’ verschilde in de periode 1870-1910 danig van elkaar. Dit afstudeerproject geeft antwoord op de vraag hoe het kan dat in Nederland, waar...Show moreHet Nederlandse en Engelse discours over ‘bedreigde kinderen’ verschilde in de periode 1870-1910 danig van elkaar. Dit afstudeerproject geeft antwoord op de vraag hoe het kan dat in Nederland, waar bedreigde kinderen op een andere manier geconceptualiseerd werden dan in Engeland, toch dezelfde afbeeldingen gebruikt werden om geld in te zamelen voor de liefdadigheidsinstellingen die de kinderen opvingen.Show less
Most of research concerning on Indonesian revolution period is focused mainly on political and military aspects. Much less attention is given to economic history, more specifically history of...Show moreMost of research concerning on Indonesian revolution period is focused mainly on political and military aspects. Much less attention is given to economic history, more specifically history of economic policy. This thesis examines the relationship between the economic policy and the continuity of Indonesian state during the revolution period. It analyzes how the state built its policy, what the policies were and what the implications were for the country development. I argue, despite there is a belief that considers the revolution period is “a history no change”, several economic policies had an impact to the state within the decolonization framework.Show less
The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident revitalised Japan’s anti-nuclear power protest movement. The summer of 2012 saw large protests in front of the parliamentary building. As a result,...Show moreThe 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident revitalised Japan’s anti-nuclear power protest movement. The summer of 2012 saw large protests in front of the parliamentary building. As a result, public opinion moved away from support of nuclear power to opposition to nuclear power. Many protesters believed that the nuclear debate would impact the 2012 lower house elections. This however proved not to be the case, proving to many onlookers that civil protest in Japan does not lead to political change. Indeed, many commentators believe that civil society in Japan is weak in comparison to the power of the bureaucracy. Yet, as this research shows, civil society is not by any means necessarily weak. This research argues that civil protest is quite viable in Japan if organised within a specific framework. The success of the ‘Article 9 Society’ provides an example for other civil protest movements looking to impact Japan’s political process. It is within the framework of the Article 9 Society that other movements ought to organize their civil protest. Consequently, this research finds that the anti-nuclear power movement’s failure is not the result of a weak civil society, but rather a failure in protest organization.Show less
Beginning with a case in 2004 where the 'stupid Papuans' stereotype resurfaced in a witness testimony, this thesis explores the origin of the stereotype of Papuans in New Guinea. Papuans have been...Show moreBeginning with a case in 2004 where the 'stupid Papuans' stereotype resurfaced in a witness testimony, this thesis explores the origin of the stereotype of Papuans in New Guinea. Papuans have been portrayed as stupid, wild and savages in Western texts. This thesis explores the origin of these ideas by scrutinizing travel accounts written by Europeans who traveled along the northern coast of New Guinea in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. By investigating these accounts and connecting them with the nature of the Dutch administration, it was found that while the Dutch were involved in the construction of the aforementioned stereotypes, the native informants employed by the Dutch were quite decisive in this process. This thesis argues that the reason for the persistence of this stereotype is the fact that the stereotype was not merely generated by the Europeans, but also believed by the surrounding native societies.Show less
Of all American presidents James K. Polk had acquired the most territory for the United States and the dominance of a vast Pacific coastline. But the memory of and interest in the life and career...Show moreOf all American presidents James K. Polk had acquired the most territory for the United States and the dominance of a vast Pacific coastline. But the memory of and interest in the life and career of James Polk were obliterated by the bloody Civil War of 1861-1865.The Mexican War held the same fate. It occurred so close before the outbreak of the American Civil War that this conflict is commonly ignored and/or undervalued. It was the first American war in which the Americans could claim victory over a foreign adversary and the first in which all military operations took place outside U.S. borders. The Mexican War sparked heated political debates on expansionism, slavery, and states’ rights amidst growing sectional and factional discords among and within the political parties. This thesis will analyse how James Polk united his expansionist ideas and belief in sectional harmony during his presidency in 1845-1849. Although President Polk was highly successful in accomplishing his main goals, he failed to anticipate the consequences of the acquisition of the vast territory of Mexico on relations between the political parties, and especially the relationship between the slave and free states.Show less
In this bachelor thesis I will try to answer the question whether or not the European Military Revolution aided the Dutch process of building a colonial empire in seventeenth century Asia. I will...Show moreIn this bachelor thesis I will try to answer the question whether or not the European Military Revolution aided the Dutch process of building a colonial empire in seventeenth century Asia. I will use two curious case-studies: the military clashes between the Dutch and on the other hand the local Asian powers on present-day Taiwan and Java. A special key feature that I will discuss is the Dutch designed colonial fortress.Show less
ABSTRACT George W. Ball, his dissent on the War in Vietnam and his failure to prevent its escalation On July 28 1965, President Johnson announced during a televised press conference, that the...Show moreABSTRACT George W. Ball, his dissent on the War in Vietnam and his failure to prevent its escalation On July 28 1965, President Johnson announced during a televised press conference, that the United States would take over the war from the South-Vietnamese government. The President ‘Americanized’ the war in South Vietnam choosing ‘a path which turned Vietnam into America’s Nightmare’ (Larry Berman). President Johnson took his decision after long and intensive deliberations with his advisers, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of State Dean Rusk and National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy. Under Secretary of State George W. Ball was the only one who disagreed. On July 28, he lost the fight that he had begun in October 1964. That George Ball was a dissenter and had strongly argued against the dispatching of troops to Vietnam only became known generally after the publication of the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Why did George Ball dissent on the war in Vietnam? Why did he fail to prevent the escalation? Was he naïve or disingenuous? Was he playing the role of devils advocate? Did President Johnson use him to let everyone believe that all sides were covered? Why did he not resign immediately after the July 28? Why did President Johnson not fire him? This paper seeks answers to these questions.Show less
