Black Front (Netherlands)

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The Black Front (Dutch:Zwart 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.[1] 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.[2] The group however struggled to gain support from the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands and in 1940 was subsumed into the National Front.[3]

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.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Philip Rees, Biographical Dictionary of the Extreme Right Since 1890, p. 260
  2. ^ Stanley G. Payne, A History of Fascism 1914-1945, London, Roultedge, 2001, p. 302
  3. ^ Rees, op cit



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