Geuzenveld-Slotermeer in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Willem Drees
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 25, 2024
1. Willem Drees Marker
Vadertje Drees was de troetelnaam van de premier die met zijn naoorlogse kabinetten de verzorgingsstaat opbouwde. Als PvdA-minister gaf hij in 1947 al een eerste aanzet tot een financiλle regeling voor ouderen. In 1957 werd de eerste AOW (Algemene Ouderdomswet) uitgekeerd. Drees, die was opgeklommen van stenograaf naar wethouder, kamerlid en minister, was een van de populairste minister-presidenten die Nederland heeft gekend. Hij kreeg in zijn loopbaan met lastige kwesties te maken, waaronder de wederopbouw, de Indonesische Onafhankelijkheidsoorlog en de Greet Hofmans-affaire, waarbij toenmalig koningin Juliana onder grote invloed van een gebedsgenezeres was komen te staan. Eind 1958 werd hij benoemd tot Minister van Staat. Willem Drees leefde sober, was verdraagzaam naar andersdenkenden en heeft bijzonder lang zijn 'eigen' AOW ontvangen.
Father Drees was the pet name of the prime minister who built up the welfare state with his post-war cabinets. As a minister for the Labour Party, he had already made the first move towards a financial arrangement for the elderly in 1947. In 1957, the first AOW (General Old Age Pensions Act) was paid out. Drees, who had risen from stenographer to alderman, member of parliament and minister, was one of the most popular prime ministers the Netherlands has ever known. During his career, he had to deal with difficult issues, including reconstruction, the Indonesian War of Independence and the Greet Hofmans affair, in which then Queen Juliana had come under the great influence of a faith healer. At the end of 1958, he was appointed Minister of State. Willem Drees lived a frugal life, was tolerant towards those who thought differently and received his 'own' AOW for a very long time.
Erected by Geef
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1988.
Location. 52° 22.879′ N, 4° 47.419′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Geuzenveld-Slotermeer. It is at the intersection of Willem Dreesplantsoen and J.M. Den Uylstraat, on the right when traveling south on Willem Dreesplantsoen. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: J.M Den Uylstraat 67, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1067 VG, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: J.M. den Uyl (within shouting distance of this marker); J.G. Suurhoff (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 25, 2024
2. Willem Drees Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Willem Drees (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
Willem Drees Sr. (5 July 1886 14 May 1988) was a Dutch politician of the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP) and later co-founder of the Labour Party (PvdA) and historian who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 7 August 1948 to 22 December 1958.(Submitted on November 6, 2024.)
Drees was known for his abilities as a skilful team leader and effective manager. From 1948 to 1958, his four cabinets were mostly praised and supported by the largest parties in the Netherlands. During his premiership, his cabinets were responsible for several major social reforms to social security, welfare, child benefits and education, overseeing the decolonization of the Dutch East Indies following the Indonesian National Revolution, the fallout of the annexation of former German territory and dealing with several major crises such as the North Sea flood of 1953 and Hofmans scandal.
Drees retired from active politics at 72 but continued to be active as a valued historian and prolific author and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government. Drees was granted the honorary title of Minister of State on 22 December 1958 and continued to comment on political affairs as a statesman until his death in May 1988 at the age of 101. He holds the record as the fourth longest-serving and longest-lived Prime Minister at 101 years, 314 days and his premiership is consistently regarded both by scholars and the public to have been one of the best in Dutch history.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
