History as a money launderer? The Dutch and their national history.

The article analyses the importance of historiography for the construction of cultural identity and hence discusses the Dutch canon. This master narrative offers an overview of Dutch history and culture on the basis of 50 subjects. The list was drawn at the insistence of politicians to counter the disintegrative factors in Dutch society. The publication of the canon in 2006 sparked a debate about the drawbacks of Dutch history that continues to this day. It also inspired the educational sector to develop new teaching materials, although the canon is not compulsory for school curricula. A historical master narrative, however, cannot solve social problems. At best, shared historical knowledge may foster community spirit in the long run.