Did Germany ever own The Netherlands?

Question

I was just wondering, because I'm trying to figure out my genealogy!

Answer 1

Germany per se never owned the Netherlands although they did conquer and occupy the country during world War II.

Remember that Germany did not actually exist as a unitary nation until 1871.

Answer 2

Not really. The "Dutch Republic" became a country in 1581 gaining independence from the Hapsburg Empire (Spanish part) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands was established in 1815. Germany didn't become a country until 1871.

n**i Germany did control Netherlands 1940 - 1945.  

Answer 3

No, they did not.

At times in the the very far past they did belong to one country, but I doubt you can trace your roots back to the year 1000 or before.

If fact, the Netherlands have been one country much longer than Germany has.

In WWII the Germans did occupy the Netherlands indeed, but they never owned it.

It was also ruled as a separate country, also in that time.

In WWI the Netherlands neutrality was respected, so they stayed out of the war.