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First Drees cabinet
First Drees cabinet
First Drees cabinet
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First Drees cabinet
Second Drees cabinet

Cabinet of the Netherlands
The first meeting of the First Drees cabinet at the Ministry of General Affairs on 14 March 1951
Date formed15 March 1951 (1951-03-15)
Date dissolved2 September 1952 (1952-09-02)
1 year, 171 days in office
(Demissionary from 25 June 1952 (1952-06-25))
People and organisations
MonarchQueen Juliana
Prime MinisterWillem Drees
Deputy Prime MinisterFrans Teulings
No. of ministers15
Ministers removed2
Total no. of members16
Member partyCatholic People's Party
(KVP)
Labour Party
(PvdA)
Christian Historical Union
(CHU)
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
(VVD)
Status in legislatureCentre-left[1]
Majority government
(Grand coalition/Roman-Red)
History
Outgoing election1952 election
Legislature terms1948–1952
Incoming formation1948 formation
Outgoing formation1951 formation
PredecessorDrees–Van Schaik cabinet
SuccessorSecond Drees cabinet

The First Drees cabinet, also called the Second Drees cabinet[2] was the executive branch of the Dutch Government from 15 March 1951 until 2 September 1952. The cabinet was a continuation of the previous Drees–Van Schaik cabinet and was formed by the christian-democratic Catholic People's Party (KVP) and Christian Historical Union (CHU), the social-democratic Labour Party (PvdA) and the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) after the fall of the previous cabinet. The cabinet was a centrist grand coalition and had a substantial majority in the House of Representatives with Labour Leader Willem Drees serving as Prime Minister. Prominent Catholic politician Frans Teulings the Minister of the Interior in the previous cabinet served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without portfolio for the Interior.

The cabinet served during early years of the turbulent 1950s. Domestically the recovery and rebuilding following World War II continued with the assistance of the Marshall Plan, it also able to finalize several major social reforms to social security, welfare, child benefits and education from the previous cabinet. Internationally the decolonization of the Dutch East Indies following the Indonesian National Revolution continued, the European Coal and Steel Community was founded after the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The cabinet suffered no major internal and external conflicts and completed its entire term and was succeeded by the Second Drees cabinet following the election of 1952.[3]

Cabinet Members

[edit]
Ministers Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) Term of office Party
Willem Drees Willem Drees
(1886–1988) 		Prime Minister General Affairs 7 August 1948 –
22 December 1958
[Retained] [Continued] 		Labour Party
Frans Teulings Frans Teulings
(1891–1966) 		Deputy
Prime Minister 		Interior • Civil Defence 15 maart 1951 –
2 september 1952 		Catholic
People's Party
Minister
Johan van Maarseveen Johan van
Maarseveen
(1894–1951) 		Minister Interior 15 March 1951 –
18 November 1951
[Died] 		Catholic
People's Party
Frans Teulings Frans Teulings
(1891–1966) 		18 November 1951 –
6 December 1951
[Ad Interim] 		Catholic
People's Party
Louis Beel Dr.
Louis Beel
(1902–1977) 		6 December 1951 –
7 July 1956
[Continued] 		Catholic
People's Party
Dirk Stikker Dirk Stikker
(1897–1979) 		Minister Foreign Affairs 7 August 1948 –
2 September 1952
[Retained] 		People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Piet Lieftinck Dr.
Piet Lieftinck
(1902–1989) 		Minister Finance 25 June 1945 –
1 July 1952
[Retained] [App] 		Labour Party
Willem Drees Willem Drees
(1886–1988) 		1 July 1952 –
2 September 1952
[Acting] 		Labour Party
Hendrik Mulderije Hendrik
Mulderije
(1896–1970) 		Minister Justice 15 March 1951 –
2 September 1952 		Christian
Historical Union
Jan van den Brink Jan van
den Brink
(1915–2006) 		Minister Economic Affairs 21 January 1948 –
2 September 1952
[Retained] 		Catholic
People's Party
Kees Staf Kees Staf
(1905–1973) 		Minister War and Navy 15 March 1951 –
19 May 1959
[Continued] 		Christian
Historical Union
Dolf Joekes Dr.
Dolf Joekes
(1885–1962) 		Minister Social Affairs 7 August 1948 –
15 September 1951
[Retained] 		Labour Party
Minister Social Affairs
and Health 		15 September 1951 –
2 September 1952
Theo Rutten Dr.
Theo Rutten
(1899–1980) 		Minister Education, Arts
and Sciences 		7 August 1948 –
2 September 1952
[Retained] 		Catholic
People's Party
Hendrik Wemmers Hendrik
Wemmers
(1897–1983) 		Minister Transport and
Water Management 		15 March 1951 –
2 September 1952 		Independent
Christian Democratic
Protestant
Sicco Mansholt Sicco Mansholt
(1908–1995) 		Minister Agriculture,
Fisheries and
Food Supplies 		25 June 1945 –
1 January 1958
[Retained] [Continued] 		Labour Party
Joris in 't Veld Dr.
Joris in 't Veld
(1895–1981) 		Minister Reconstruction
and Housing 		1 March 1948 –
2 September 1952
[Retained] 		Labour Party
Willem Drees Dr.
Willem Drees
(1886–1988) 		Minister Colonial Affairs 15 March 1951 –
30 March 1951
[Ad Interim] 		Labour Party
Leonard Peters Leonard Peters
(1900–1984) 		30 March 1951 –
2 September 1952 		Catholic
People's Party
Minister without portfolio Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) Term of office Party
Guus Albregts Dr.
Guus Albregts
(1900–1980) 		Minister Interior • Public
Organisations
• Small and
Medium-sized
Businesses 		15 March 1951 –
2 September 1952 		Catholic
People's Party
State Secretaries Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) Term of office Party
Nico Blom Nico Blom
(1899–1972) 		State Secretary Foreign Affairs • Dutch East Indies 16 February 1950 –
2 September 1952
[Retained] 		Independent
Conservative Liberal
Ferdinand Kranenburg Ferdinand
Kranenburg
(1911–1994) 		State Secretary War and Navy • Army
• Air Force 		1 June 1951 –
1 June 1958
[Continued] 		Labour Party
Harry Moorman Vice admiral
Harry Moorman
(1899–1971) 		• Navy 1 May 1949 –
19 May 1959
[Retained] [Continued] 		Catholic
People's Party
Piet Muntendam Dr.
Piet Muntendam
(1901–1986) 		State Secretary Social Affairs • Primary
Healthcare
• Elderly Care
• Disability Policy 		1 April 1950 –
15 September 1951
[Retained] 		Labour Party
Social Affairs
and Health 		15 September 1951 –
1 October 1953
[Continued]
Aat van Rhijn Dr.
Aat van Rhijn
(1892–1986) 		State Secretary Social Affairs • Social Security
• Unemployment
• Occupational
Safety
• Social Services 		15 February 1950 –
15 September 1951
[Retained] 		Labour Party
Social Affairs
and Health 		15 September 1951 –
22 December 1958
[Continued]
Jo Cals Jo Cals
(1914–1971) 		State Secretary Education, Arts
and Sciences 		• Youth Care
• Nature
• Media
• Culture
• Art
• Recreation
• Sport 		15 March 1950 –
2 September 1952
[Retained] 		Catholic
People's Party
Lubbertus Götzen Lubbertus Götzen
(1894–1979) 		State Secretary Colonial Affairs • Netherlands-
Indonesian Union
• Colonial
Fiscal Policy 		15 March 1951 –
2 September 1952 		Independent
Christian Democratic
Protestant
Resigned
Retained from the previous cabinet
Continued in the next cabinet
Acting
Ad Interim
Died in Office
Appointed as Special Representative of the World Bank

Trivia

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

First Drees cabinet

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from Grokipedia
The First Drees cabinet, also known as the Second Drees cabinet, was the executive branch of the Dutch government from 15 March 1951 to 2 September 1952 (demissionary following the 25 June 1952 general election), led by Prime Minister Willem Drees as a centrist grand coalition of the Labour Party (PvdA), Catholic People's Party (KVP), Christian Historical Union (CHU), and People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). This short-lived administration, a continuation of the prior Drees-led government with minor ministerial changes, prioritized post-World War II economic recovery amid the Korean War's shadow, including the ongoing implementation of the Marshall Plan aid program and the Netherlands' accession to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1952. It navigated international transitions such as the final stages of decolonization in the Dutch East Indies (formalized earlier but with lingering effects) while laying groundwork for domestic stability through centrist policies, completing its term without internal collapse before yielding to the subsequent Drees cabinet after elections.

Formation

Background and negotiations

The previous Drees-Van Schaik cabinet resigned on 23 January 1951 amid a cabinet crisis triggered by disputes over Dutch policy toward New Guinea, particularly the government's readiness to engage in further negotiations with Indonesia on its status following the formation of Indonesia's unitary state. The Liberal VVD party, frustrated with perceived concessions that risked Dutch sovereignty, supported a motion of no confidence, highlighting tensions within the coalition over decolonization priorities. In the ensuing formation process, informateur Willem Drees sought to broaden the coalition by attempting to include a fifth party, likely the Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP), to enhance stability amid postwar political fragmentation and the need for consensus on recovery efforts. These five-party talks ultimately failed when the ARP withdrew due to dissatisfaction with the allocated ministerial portfolios, prompting a return to the original four-party centrist alliance of KVP, PvdA, CHU, and VVD. Negotiators reached compromises by sidelining the divisive New Guinea issue during deliberations, focusing instead on shared goals for economic reconstruction and social reforms, while balancing confessional priorities of KVP and CHU with the secular orientations of PvdA and VVD to preserve coalition unity under Drees's leadership. This arrangement allowed the cabinet to be sworn in on 15 March 1951 as a modified continuation, prioritizing governmental continuity without immediate elections.

Investiture

The First Drees cabinet was formally installed on 15 March 1951, marking Willem Drees's appointment as Prime Minister following the resignation of the preceding Drees–Van Schaik cabinet. The ministers were sworn in before Queen Juliana, completing the ceremonial establishment of the executive. In the absence of a formal investiture vote as in some parliamentary systems, the cabinet's legitimacy was affirmed through the presentation of its regeringsverklaring (government declaration) to the House of Representatives, initiating parliamentary scrutiny and implicit confidence. This process involved debate on the cabinet's program, where Drees outlined immediate priorities centered on bolstering defense, advancing social legislation, and promoting economic welfare amid post-war challenges. The House debated the declaration without triggering a crisis, effectively granting the cabinet the confidence needed to govern, in line with Dutch constitutional practice where ongoing parliamentary support sustains the executive.

Composition

Coalition parties

The First Drees cabinet was formed by a broad centrist coalition involving the Catholic People's Party (KVP), a confessional Catholic party representing Christian democratic principles; the Labour Party (PvdA), a social democratic formation that sought to expand beyond traditional pillars in the post-war era; the Christian Historical Union (CHU), a Protestant party with conservative orientations less driven by strict theology; and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), which embodied liberal commitments to individual freedom. Post-war electoral dynamics positioned these parties as key actors, with confessional groups like the KVP and CHU drawing from religious pillars that had sustained influence, while the PvdA and VVD appealed to secular and liberal voters amid reconstruction efforts. This grand coalition served as a deliberate centrist alliance, prioritizing governmental stability and policy continuity in a fragmented multiparty system recovering from occupation and economic strain. Mainstream parties in such formations balanced ideological divergences through negotiated participation, reflecting a broader Dutch emphasis on inclusive coalitions to mitigate risks of instability.

Cabinet members

The First Drees cabinet comprised 15 ministers and several state secretaries drawn from the coalition parties PvdA, KVP, CHU, and VVD, along with one independent. Willem Drees of the PvdA served as Prime Minister and throughout the term.
PortfolioMinisterParty
Prime Minister / General AffairsDr. W. DreesPvdA
Foreign AffairsMr. D.U. StikkerVVD
JusticeMr. H. MulderijeCHU
InteriorMr. J.H. van Maarseveen (until 18 November 1951, deceased); Mr. F.G.C.J.M. Teulings (interim, 21 November–6 December 1951); Dr. L.J.M. Beel (from 6 December 1951)KVP
Civil DefenceMr. F.G.C.J.M. TeulingsKVP
Education, Arts and SciencesDr. F.J.Th. RuttenKVP
FinanceMr. Dr. P. Lieftinck (until 1 July 1952, resigned); Dr. W. Drees (interim, from 1 July 1952)PvdA
Armed Forces (Army and Navy)Ir. C. StafCHU
Reconstruction and HousingDr. J. in 't VeldPvdA
Transport and Water ManagementH.H. WemmersIndependent
Economic AffairsDr. J.R.M. van den BrinkKVP
Small Business, Public Business Organization and Productivity PromotionDr. A.H.M. AlbregtsKVP
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food SupplyS.L. MansholtPvdA
Social Affairs (renamed Social Affairs and Public Health from 15 September 1951)Mr. Dr. A.M. JoekesPvdA
Union Affairs and Overseas TerritoriesDr. W. Drees (interim, until 30 March 1951); Ir. L.A.H. Peters (from 30 March 1951)KVP
State secretaries supported ministers in portfolios such as Foreign Affairs (Mr. N.S. Blom, independent), Education (Mr. J.M.L.Th. Cals, KVP), Armed Forces (H.C.W. Moorman, KVP; Mr. F.J. Kranenburg, PvdA from June 1951), and Social Affairs (Dr. P. Muntendam and Mr. Dr. A.A. van Rhijn, both PvdA). No further changes occurred after the cabinet became demissionary on 25 June 1952.

Domestic policy

Economic recovery

The First Drees cabinet continued the post-World War II economic recovery in the Netherlands, building on the European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan), through which the country received $1.127 billion in aid to support reconstruction and revive key industries such as shipping and manufacturing. This external assistance helped stabilize supply chains and infrastructure, fostering industrial output amid ongoing challenges from wartime damage. To address inflation pressures, the cabinet pursued tight monetary and fiscal policies, achieving a sharp decline from 9.6% in 1951 to 0% in 1952, which aided price stabilization and consumer confidence. Employment faced headwinds, with registered unemployment rising from 68,000 to 106,000 over the period, yet the economy registered moderate GDP volume growth averaging 2.1%, reflecting gradual expansion in productive capacity. Budgetary policies emphasized fiscal discipline, delivering an EMU surplus averaging 6.4% of GDP and reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio from 118.9% to 114.9%, which reinforced recovery by prioritizing public investment in essential sectors over expansive spending. These measures, centered on financial-economic coordination, helped mitigate external shocks like the 's commodity pressures while advancing broader stabilization.

Social reforms

The First Drees cabinet finalized key expansions to social security through the Werkloosheidswet, which came into force in 1952 and introduced structured unemployment benefits to provide financial support for workers facing job loss amid post-war economic adjustments. This reform enhanced the welfare system's resilience by establishing mandatory coverage mechanisms funded through contributions and state resources, targeting vulnerabilities exposed by wartime disruptions. In parallel, the cabinet passed the Kinderbijslagwet voor zelfstandigen, extending child benefits to self-employed households and broadening access to family allowances previously limited to wage earners. This legislation promoted universal coverage principles by integrating independent workers into welfare provisions, with payments scaled to family size to alleviate child-rearing costs. These initiatives directly addressed post-war societal imperatives, such as mitigating poverty through targeted income supplementation and bolstering family support structures to foster demographic recovery and social stability. By prioritizing equitable benefit distribution, the reforms laid groundwork for a more inclusive welfare framework, reducing reliance on ad hoc aid and promoting long-term economic participation.

Foreign policy

Decolonization efforts

The First Drees cabinet oversaw the continued Dutch administration of Netherlands New Guinea (West New Guinea), which had been excluded from the 1949 transfer of sovereignty to Indonesia, maintaining it as a separate territory under Dutch control amid Indonesian claims. The government pursued diplomatic negotiations to address the dispute, rejecting calls for immediate plenary conferences in 1951 while emphasizing the territory's distinct Papuan population and Dutch developmental responsibilities. In early 1952, the cabinet engaged Indonesian representatives in talks, where Dutch officials, including Prime Minister Drees, proposed plans for joint administration or gradual development of New Guinea to counter Indonesian integration demands. These efforts reflected a strategy of delaying full decolonization, prioritizing ethical governance and infrastructure projects over hasty handover, without resorting to major military actions during the cabinet's term. Domestically, the cabinet managed the repatriation of Dutch citizens, including Eurasians and civil servants, from Indonesia, facilitating their return and integration through social support measures amid ongoing economic strains from the colonial withdrawal. This included processing waves of arrivals that continued post-1949, with policies aimed at housing, employment, and welfare to mitigate the human costs of decolonization.

European integration

The First Drees cabinet supported the Netherlands' participation in the Treaty of Paris, signed on 18 April 1951 by six founding members including the Netherlands, which established the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) as the first supranational European institution to pool coal and steel production for economic integration and peace. The cabinet oversaw the treaty's ratification process, which gained approval in the Dutch parliament on 13 October 1951 with opposition limited to communist members, reflecting broad cross-party consensus under Drees' leadership for advancing European cooperation amid post-war reconstruction. This engagement positioned the Netherlands strategically within emerging European frameworks, emphasizing multilateralism to secure trade, resource access, and stability. The cabinet maintained alignment with NATO—established in 1949—for collective defense and complemented it with ECSC's economic focus, fostering interdependence among Western European states to counterbalance Soviet influence and promote long-term prosperity.

Term and resignation

Major events

During its term, the cabinet navigated the ongoing Korean War, with Dutch forces contributing under United Nations command, which contributed to a slight economic recession amid global tensions. In September 1951, Queen Juliana's throne speech highlighted the war's economic repercussions, emphasizing the need for stability. Internationally, the Netherlands acceded to the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 as a founding member, advancing postwar economic integration with Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, and Luxembourg. Domestically, the cabinet deferred the contentious issue of Dutch sovereignty over New Guinea—previously a point of friction—effectively setting it aside to maintain coalition harmony. Key legislative milestones included the enactment of the Unemployment Act in 1952, providing structured support for jobless workers, and a Child Benefit Act extending allowances to self-employed families. Additional measures comprised a shop closing law limiting Sunday and evening operations to promote rest, alongside laws granting emergency powers for civilian protection amid potential war threats. The period also saw the Netherlands' first official television broadcast on October 2, 1951, marking a technological milestone. The cabinet managed these developments without major internal conflicts or crises, such as significant strikes or diplomatic ruptures, focusing on steady implementation of its agenda before becoming demissionary on June 25, 1952.

Resignation and succession

The First Drees cabinet tendered its resignation on 25 June 1952, coinciding with the Dutch general election that marked the end of the parliamentary term. It operated in a demissionary (caretaker) capacity thereafter, handling routine affairs without initiating new policies until its formal end on 2 September 1952. This transition adhered to constitutional norms for cabinets at the conclusion of their term following elections. The 1952 election outcomes preserved a balanced political landscape, enabling the swift formation of a successor coalition with comparable centrist composition. Willem Drees retained the premiership in the ensuing Second Drees cabinet, ensuring seamless continuity in executive leadership and ongoing priorities such as economic stabilization and social welfare.
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