Title: Rape in the Republic, 1609-1725
Description: This book reveals the fundamental role rape played in promoting Dutch solidarity from 1609-1725. Through the identification of particular enemies, it directed attention away from competing regional, religious, and political loyalties. Patriotic Protestant authors highlighted atrocities committed by the Spanish and lower class criminals. They conversely cast Dutch men as protectors of their wives and daughters - an appealing characterization that allowed the Dutch to take pride in a sense of moral superiority and justify the Dutch Revolt. After the conclusion of peace with Spain in 1648, marginalized authors, including Catholic priests and literary women, employed depictions of rape to subtly advance their own agendas without undermining political stability. Rape was thus essential in the development and preservation of a common identity that paved the way for the Dutch defeat of the mighty Spanish empire and their rise to economic pre-eminence in Europe.
Subjects: Politics and government, Dutch Foreign public opinion, Rape, History, Rape in literature, Patriotism, Group identity, Sex role, Religion and politics, Political culture, Crime in literature, Netherlands, politics and government, Spain, politics and government, Vergewaltigung, Identität, Political aspects