Aspects of religion and society in the province of Zeeland (Netherlands) in the nineteenth century
The body of the thesis has three major components: an assessment of the state of historical work and historical thinking concerning Zeeland since 1800; a study of church affiliation, and reactions to secularization; and an attempt to gauge the effects of religious attitudes on the socioeconomic development of the province in the nineteenth century. An examination of the existing literature reveals a 'received opinion' on the socio-economic history of Zeeland, namely that there was a conservative, traditional mentality among the inhabitants, expressed in religious attitudes, which was a significant contributory cause of the province's mediocre economic performance since 1800. There follows a survey of nineteenth century Zeeland in its demographic, social, economic, and political aspects. A systematic examination of the growth and/or decline of the various religious denominations is conducted. In the face of secularization, the orthodox Calvinist groups and the Roman Catholics were better able to maintain their position than the mainstream Calvinist Hervormde Kerk or the smaller Protestant denominations. This conclusion is confirmed by a number of secondary sources concerning secularization. In order to determine
Wintle, Michael J.
Dutch studies
Aspects of religion and society in the province of Zeeland (Netherlands) in the nineteenth century. The body of the thesis has three major components: an assessment of the state of historical work and historical thinking concerning Zeeland since 1800; a study of church affiliation, and reactions to secularization; and an attempt to gauge the effects of religious attitudes on the socioeconomic development of the province in the nineteenth century. An examination of the existing literature reveals a 'received opinion' on the socio-economic history of Zeeland, namely that there was a conservative, traditional mentality among the inhabitants, expressed in religious attitudes, which was a significant contributory cause of the province's mediocre economic performance since 1800. There follows a survey of nineteenth century Zeeland in its demographic, social, economic, and political aspects. A systematic examination of the growth and/or decline of the various religious denominations is conducted. In the face of secularization, the orthodox Calvinist groups and the Roman Catholics were better able to maintain their position than the mainstream Calvinist Hervormde Kerk or the smaller Protestant denominations. This conclusion is confirmed by a number of secondary sources concerning secularization. In order to determine
aspects religion_society province netherlands body three_major component assessment state historical_work historical think concern since study church affiliation reaction secularization attempt gauge effect religious_attitude socioeconomic development province examination exist_literature reveals received opinion socio_economic history namely conservative traditional mentality among inhabitant express religious_attitude significant contributory cause province economic performance since follow survey demographic social_economic_political aspect systematic_examination growth and decline various religious denomination conduct face secularization orthodox calvinist group roman_catholics well able_maintain position mainstream calvinist small protestant denomination conclusion confirm number secondary_source concern secularization order_determine