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Wilhelmina

Encyclopedia of World Biography | 2004 | Copyright

Wilhelmina

Wilhelmina (1880-1962) was queen of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. During her reign the royal house maintained a strong commitment to parliamentary institutions and the principle of parliamentary government.

Born on Aug. 31, 1880, Whilhelmina was the daughter of the king of the Netherlands, William II, and his second wife, Princess Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont. On Nov. 23, 1890, William II died, and Wilhelmina succeeded to the throne. A regency reigned in her name until Aug. 31, 1898, when she was declared of age; she was crowned queen of the Netherlands on Sept. 6, 1898. On Feb. 7, 1901, Wilhelmina married Prince Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1876-1934). Although Wilhelmina's personal political inclinations were conservative, the Crown remained above politics and did not attempt to alter the rules of the political game in the Netherlands.

During the years before World War I, the Netherlands was confronted with a certain measure of labor unrest and demands for social reform plus a revision of the suffrage law which would extend the right to vote to all adult males. The Netherlands remained neutral throughout World War I; however, severe food shortages and concomitant social dislocation triggered demonstrations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other cities. The parliamentary leader of the Social Democratic Workers party (SDAP), Pieter Troelstra, seemed to be calling for social revolution in November 1918. Troelstra was quickly disavowed by other SDAP leaders, and the prospect of revolution proved to be momentary. Within this context, however, the socially conservative governing parties responded by legislating universal manhood suffrage and a modest measure of social reform.

With the coming of the depression crisis and the resultant rise of National Socialism in Germany, the Dutch nation faced yet a new set of problems. Facing mass unemployment internally and a Dutch Nazi movement, the NSB, Wilhelmina maintained a stance of pro-British neutrality and at no time attempted to weaken the parliamentary institution. With the coming of World War II, the Netherlands continued the policy of neutrality until the German attack of May 10, 1940. Wilhelmina, her daughter Juliana (born April 30, 1909), and her son-in-law Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (married Juliana on Jan. 7, 1937) were able to flee to London and there served as a symbol of Dutch freedom and a rallying point for the Dutch government-in-exile. The Crown returned to the liberated Netherlands with enhanced prestige, and Wilhelmina's conduct during the war all but eliminated antimonarchical forces in Dutch society. On Sept. 4, 1948, Wilhelmina abdicated and was succeeded by her daughter Juliana. Wilhelmina died on Nov. 28, 1962.

Wilhelmina

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

Wilhelmina , 1880-1962, queen of the Netherlands (1890-1948), daughter and successor of William III. Her mother, Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont, was regent until 1898. Wilhelmina married (1901) Prince Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (d. 1934), who played no active part in the government. The Salic law then having application in Luxembourg, the personal union of that grand duchy with the Netherlands was abrogated at her accession. The queen probably had a large share in the maintenance of Dutch neutrality in World War I and in the granting of asylum to William II of Germany after the war. When the Netherlands was invaded (May, 1940) by the Germans in World War II, Wilhelmina fled to England with her government; she made her formal return to the Netherlands in May, 1945. In 1948, after celebrating the 50th anniversary of her reign amid rejoicings that reflected her great popularity, Wilhelmina abdicated in favor of her daughter, Queen Juliana.

Bibliography: See her autobiography (tr. 1960).

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Wilhelmina

A Dictionary of Contemporary World History | 2004 | | Copyright

Wilhelmina (b. 31 Aug. 1880, d. 28 Nov. 1962). Queen of the Netherlands 1890–1948 The only daughter of King William III, she contributed greatly to the strengthening of the monarchy through accepting the growth of parliamentary power. When her country was invaded (1940–5), she and her ministers maintained a government-in-exile in London. Through frequent radio talks she became a symbol of resistance for the Dutch people. She returned in 1945, but abdicated in 1948 in favour of her daughter Juliana.

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JAN PALMOWSKI. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 14 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 14, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Wilhelmina.html

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved February 14, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Wilhelmina.html

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Wilhelmina

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Copyright

Wilhelmina (1880–1962) Queen of the Netherlands (1890–1948). Wilhelmina became queen as a child, with her mother as regent until 1898. During World War II she maintained a government in exile in London, and through frequent radio broadcasts became a symbol of resistance to the Dutch people. She returned to the Netherlands in 1945, but three years later abdicated in favour of her daughter Juliana.

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Wilhelmina

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Wilhelmina (1880–1962) Queen of the Netherlands (1890–1948). She helped to keep the country neutral in World War 1 and often intervened in political affairs. During World War 2, she led a government-in-exile in England and became a symbol of Dutch independence. In 1948 Wilhelmina abdicated in favour of her daughter, Juliana.

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Wilhelmina

A Dictionary of First Names | 2006 | | Copyright

Wilhelmina ♀ Feminine version of Wilhelm, the German form of William, formed with the Latinate suffix -ina. This name was introduced to the English-speaking world from Germany in the 19th century. It is now very rarely used.

short form: Mina.
Pet form: Minnie.

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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 14 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 14, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Wilhelmina1.html

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Wilhelmina1.html

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Wilhelmina

A Dictionary of First Names | 2006 | | Copyright

Wilhelmina ♀ (German) Feminine form of Wilhelm.

Also: Wilhemine.

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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 14 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Wilhelmina." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 14, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Wilhelmina.html

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Wilhelmina

Wilhelmina •abstainer, arcana, campaigner, Cana, caner, cantilena, complainer, container, detainer, drainer, entertainer, explainer, Gaenor, gainer, Gaynor, grainer, Jena, Lena, maintainer, Marlene, N'Djamena, obtainer, ordainer, planar, planer, profaner, Rayner, retainer, scena, seiner, Sinn Feiner, strainer, sustainer, trainer, uniplanar •straightener •Adelina, Angelina, arena, Argentina, ballerina, Ballymena, Bettina, Bukovina, Burkina, cantina, Cartagena, casuarina, catena, Christina, cleaner, concertina, congener, contravener, convener, Cortina, demeanour (US demeanor), deus ex machina, duodena, Edwina, Ena, farina, Filipina, galena, Georgina, Gina, gleaner, hyena, Ina, intervener, kachina, kina, Magdalena, marina, Martina, Medina, Messalina, Messina, misdemeanour (US misdemeanor), Nina, novena, ocarina, Palestrina, Pasadena, Philomena, piscina, retsina, Rowena, Sabrina, scarlatina, screener, Selina, semolina, Seraphina, Serena, Sheena, signorina, sonatina, subpoena, Taormina, tsarina, verbena, vina, weaner, wiener, Wilhelmina, Zena •sweetener • pipecleaner

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"Wilhelmina." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 14 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Wilhelmina to Go Public - a First In the Modeling Industry. PR Newswire; 8/28/2008
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