For centuries, people have traveled across Drenthe in search of work or trade. Migrant laborers working in peat extraction, peddlers selling their goods door-to-door, and craftsmen such as coppersmiths and chair caners all played a vital role in the economic life of the Drenthe countryside. When more roads began to be built from 1854 onward, the caravan made its appearance. It was a perfect solution for those leading a nomadic life, providing a roof over their heads while allowing the whole family to travel together. The caravan also attracted vagrants and people unable to find permanent housing. By 1930, Drenthe already had 147 caravans, home to a total of 698 people. Deep-rooted prejudices and the government’s desire to exert more control over the movements and activities of travelers led to increasing separation between them and the rest of society. When the government made traveling nearly impossible in 1968, it sparked great discontent among the travelers.
In this book, you will read about migrant laborers, peddlers, craftsmen, and vagrants—about the people who traveled through Drenthe with their caravans in the first half of the twentieth century—and gain insight into the world of Drenthe’s present-day travelers.
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