You do not need a history book for the KNS exam, only a handful of well-known people, places and dates, each shown with a picture. The Netherlands fought a long war against Spain, which lasted 80 years; its leader was Willem van Oranje (William of Orange), and the Spanish king was Catholic. Since then the country has had its own government for about 400 years. The ships of the VOC sailed to Asia for trade, above all in spices. Rembrandt painted De Nachtwacht (The Night Watch). In 1940 Germany attacked the Netherlands and bombed Rotterdam, and Anne Frank became famous for the diary she wrote in the Second World War. After the war Indonesia became independent, and Suriname followed in 1975. From the 1960s many guest workers (gastarbeiders) came from Turkey and Morocco to work.
Pictures you will see in the exam
A ship of the VOC
De Nachtwacht (The Night Watch)
Anne Frank
What you'll learn
- Who Willem van Oranje was and which country the Dutch fought for 80 years
- What the VOC was and why its ships sailed to Asia (trade in spices)
- Rembrandt and De Nachtwacht, the best-known Dutch painting
- The Second World War: Germany in 1940, the bombing of Rotterdam, Anne Frank's diary
- Which colonies became independent (Indonesia after the war, Suriname in 1975) and where the gastarbeiders came from
Real KNS questions on this topic
Q: "Hoe lang duurde de oorlog tegen Spanje?" (How long did the war against Spain last?) — A: "80 jaar."
Q: "Waardoor is Anne Frank beroemd?" (What is Anne Frank famous for?) — A: "Zij schreef een dagboek in de Tweede Wereldoorlog (1940-1945)."
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to memorise many dates?
Very few: 80 years of war, about 400 years of own government, 1940 to 1945 for the Second World War, and 1975 for Suriname. Most questions are answered from the picture.
Why are there questions about Turkey and Morocco?
Because many people from those countries came to the Netherlands as guest workers from the 1960s, which shaped Dutch society. The exam only asks where the guest workers came from.
Where can I see the pictures?
On Asagno's KNS study page every history question comes with its picture (Willem van Oranje, the Night Watch, Anne Frank, the VOC ship) and the answer.