Van Heutsz monument unveiling in 1935 Amsterdam

In 1935, Amsterdam served as a focal point for colonial Netherlands during the unveiling of a large monument dedicated to Van Heutsz. The event was attended by high-ranking figures, including Queen Wilhelmina and Colijn, symbolizing the Dutch colonial empire and the desire to maintain it.

The veneration of Van Heutsz was not without controversy. Resistance emerged from nationalist and communist circles in the Dutch East Indies, as well as from political groups in the Netherlands. This opposition had previously led to the establishment of a ‘counter-monument’ for the anarchist socialist Domela Nieuwenhuis in 1931.

During the ceremony, Queen Wilhelmina unveiled the monument, an act accompanied by the national anthem. The event emphasized the connection between the monarchy, the military, and the colonial administration, presenting the colony as an integral part of a ‘Greater Netherlands’ despite growing calls for autonomy.