Black Front (Netherlands)
Encyclopedia
The Black Front was a Dutch
fascist movement active before the Second World War.
The Front grew out of the southern section of the General Dutch Fascist League
, with regional organiser Arnold Meijer
quarrelling with leader Jan Baars
in 1934 and leading his followers out. The Black Front emerged and soon took over a number of smaller movements, whilst also gaining some support amongst the lower ends of society. Although similar to its parent movement the Black Front emphasised a more Catholic
line, in tune with Meijer's own religious beliefs. The group however struggled to gain support from the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands
and in 1940 was subsumed into the National Front.
The National Front was ultimately banned by the Germans in 1941 after its members asked to be allowed to take an oath to the Netherlands rather than Germany before considering service with the Nazis.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
fascist movement active before the Second World War.
The Front grew out of the southern section of the General Dutch Fascist League
General Dutch Fascist League
The General Dutch Fascist League was a minor Dutch fascist party founded in 1932. The party sought to create a volksfascisme, although they failed to fully define this aim and were considered closer to Mussolini than Hitler despite their rhetoric. The party failed to gain support in the 1932...
, with regional organiser Arnold Meijer
Arnold Meijer
Arnoldus Jozephus Meijer was a Dutch fascist politician.Brought up a devout Roman Catholic and educated in a number of seminaries he soon became influenced by Wouter Lutkie, a Catholic priest and fascist...
quarrelling with leader Jan Baars
Jan Baars
Joannes Antonius Baars was a leading Dutch fascist during the 1930s.During the 1920s Baars emerged as part of the group associated with De Bezems, a fascist journal aimed at the poor. The magazine split in 1930 and Baars supported Alfred Haighton over H.A. Sinclair de Rochemont, joining Haighton's...
in 1934 and leading his followers out. The Black Front emerged and soon took over a number of smaller movements, whilst also gaining some support amongst the lower ends of society. Although similar to its parent movement the Black Front emphasised a more Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
line, in tune with Meijer's own religious beliefs. The group however struggled to gain support from the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands
National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands
The National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands was a Dutch fascist and later national socialist political party. As a parliamentary party participating in legislative elections, the NSB had some success during the 1930s...
and in 1940 was subsumed into the National Front.
The National Front was ultimately banned by the Germans in 1941 after its members asked to be allowed to take an oath to the Netherlands rather than Germany before considering service with the Nazis.