biography
| name: |
Thorbecke, Johan Rudolf
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pronunciation:
[taw(r)bekuh]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1798–1872)
|
| biography:
| Dutch liberal politician, prime minister (1849–53, 1862–6, 1871) and writer, born in Zwolle, NC Netherlands. After studying in Amsterdam, Leiden, and various German universities he was appointed professor of political and diplomatic history and statistics in Gent (1825) and Leiden (1831). In 1840 he was elected to the States of Holland, which drew up a new constitution after the secession of Belgium. His views were liberal, and he promoted universal suffrage. In 1848 he chaired the committee drawing up the revised constitution, introducing important new laws, and led the government which implemented it (1849–53). This administration was brought down by the April movement. His second administration (1862–6) was also very productive, abolishing slavery in the West Indies, and bringing in much domestic legislation, but fell when the liberals split over the colonial agricultural system (cultuurstelsel). His third term was in 1871. Although a liberal, he did not believe in popular sovereignty as promoted by the young liberals, which he saw as the will of the majority triumphing over what was morally right. |
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