When was Pieter Geyl born and where did he enter the world?
Pieter Geyl entered the world on the 15th of December 1887 in Dordrecht. He completed his studies at the University of Leiden by 1913.
Questions about Pieter Geyl
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why was Pieter Geyl imprisoned during World War II?
Security Service agents took him hostage in October 1940 as retaliation for alleged mistreatment of Germans in the Dutch East Indies. Thirteen months passed while he remained imprisoned inside the Buchenwald concentration camp before being released in February 1944 due to medical reasons.
What argument did Pieter Geyl make against Arnold J. Toynbee?
Geyl accused Toynbee of selectively using evidence to support pre-conceived notions instead of examining all available data. He argued that Toynbee ignored facts contradicting his thesis regarding challenge and response mechanisms.
How did Pieter Geyl explain the separation between Dutch people and Flemish neighbors?
He argued that geography rather than culture caused the split during the Eighty Years War against Spain. Lakes, bogs, and rivers favored rebels in the north while flat plains aided the Spanish Army in the south.
Which book by Pieter Geyl examined how French historians viewed Napoleon from different eras?
Napoleon For And Against examined how French historians viewed the emperor from different eras. Some portrayed him as a Corsican adventurer bringing death while others saw him as a patriotic figure offering glory.