Defence lines of the Netherlands

The Vestingwet[3] (eng: Fortification Law) or Wet tot regeling en voltooiing van het vestingstelsel (eng: Law to regulate and complete the fortification) was signed on 18 April 1874.

The law dealt with the defense of the Netherlands against enemy attacks.

The main principle was defense by flooding where as the army of the Netherlands would withdraw to the area around Amsterdam.

The law was made by the Minister of War August Weitzel under King Willem III.

During the Cold War a defence line was created to slow down a potential Soviet attack on the Netherlands.