Dutch Neutrality: Greedy, Easy or Just a Lack of ‘Dutch Courage’?

An examination of Dutch neutrality through British newspapers to establish what if any was the prevailing opinion of the British press on the topic of Dutch neutrality during the First World War. The thesis answers the question ‘Dutch Neutrality: Greedy, Easy or Just a Lack of ‘Dutch Courage’?’ by breaking the topic down into four case studies looking at the start of the war, issues with trade, the last year of the war and finally the Kaiser Affair. Through the use of a wide selection of British newspapers, the thesis examines how and why British opinions developed throughout the war. Concluding that although the British remained sympathetic and respectful of Dutch neutrality as the war progressed and pressure for victory grew papers became more critical of the Dutch.