Optocht NSB 1936 - 1937

This anonymous photograph depicts a parade of the NSB, the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands. The image presents a fascinating window into the social and political climate of the Netherlands in the early 20th century. The NSB was a Dutch political party that espoused a fascist ideology closely aligned with that of Nazi Germany. Founded in 1931, it gained some support during the interwar period, appealing to those who felt disenfranchised by the existing political order. The black and white aesthetic lends the image a sense of historical distance, yet the content remains strikingly relevant. How might the photographer have felt about the display? Was this intended to document or promote the NSB? Or was it taken as evidence of a dangerous ideology taking hold? Further research into the history of the NSB, Dutch politics during this time, and the role of photography in shaping public opinion could provide us with valuable insights into the complex social and institutional forces at play here.