Second Gerbrandy cabinet

Updated on Jan 05, 2024

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The second cabinet of Gerbrandy (1941–1945) was one of the four cabinets during the Dutch government in exile which were seated in London. The cabinet was formed after a conflict between Queen Wilhelmina and minister Dijxhoorn of Defence regarding his Bureau Bijzondere Aangelegenheden (Bureau Special Affairs) leading to his dismissal. After that, all ministers of the first Gerbrandy cabinet put their resignation forwards, leading to a restructuring of the posts and the formation of the second Gerbrandy cabinet. Also during the second Gerbrandy cabinet, there are regular frictions between ministers and the Queen, leading to changes at several ministries.

The government, led by Queen Wilhelmina, is the main inspiration for many of the resistance fighters in the Netherlands through radio addresses. Important actions of the cabinet include the recognition of the Soviet Union (July 1942), declaration of war against Japan (December 1942), the announcement that after the war the relations between the Netherlands and the Dutch Indies will change (by the Queen in December 1942) and the re-establishment in July 1943 of the representation at the Vatican.

During the first and second cabinet of Gerbrandy plans are made for post-war prosecution of "wrongful" (foute)Dutch civilians (collaborators with the Germans). On January 27, 1945 minister Burger of Interior Affairs holds a radio speech, differentiating between "wrongful" Dutch civilians (foute Nederlanders) and Dutch civilians who made a mistake (Nederlanders die een fout hebben gemaakt). He was asked by the prime minister to resign - but because Gerbrandy did not discuss this with his fellow ministers, all SDAP-ministers resigned, leading to the third Gerbrandy cabinet.

Ministers

Prime Minister: Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy (ARP)

General Affairs: Hendrik van Boeijen (CHU), until February 23, 1945

General Warfare: Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy (ARP), from May 21, 1942

Foreign Affairs: Eelco Nicolaas van Kleffens (liberal, without party)

Justice:

Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy (ARP), until February 21, 1942

Johannes Regnerus Maria van Angeren (RKSP), from February 21, 1942 until July 11, 1944

Gerrit Jan van Heuven Goedhart (without party), from July 11, 1944

Interior Affairs:

Hendrik van Boeijen (CHU), until May 31, 1944

Jacobus Albertus Wilhelmus Burger (SDAP), from May 31, 1944 until January 27, 1945

Hendrik van Boeijen (CHU), from January 27, 1945

Education, Arts and Sciences: Gerrit Bolkestein (VDB)

Finance:

Maximilien Paul Léon Steenberghe (RKSP), until November 17, 1941

Johan Willem Albarda (SDAP), from November 17, 1941 until December 9, 1942

Johannes van den Broek (without party), from December 9, 1942

War:

Hendrik van Boeijen (CHU), until September 15, 1942

Otto Cornelis Adriaan van Lidth de Jeude (LSP), from September 15, 1942

Navy: Johannes Theodorus Furstner (liberal, without party)

Water: Johan Willem Albarda (SDAP)

Trade, Industry and Shipping:

Maximilien Paul Léon Steenberghe (RKSP), until November 17, 1941

Jan van den Tempel (SDAP), from November 17, 1941 until January 8, 1942

Petrus Adrianus Kerstens (KVP), from January 8, 1942 until May 31, 1944

Agriculture and Fishing:

Maximilien Paul Léon Steenberghe (RKSP) until November 17, 1941

Jan van den Tempel (SDAP), from November 17, 1941 until January 8, 1942

Petrus Adrianus Kerstens (KVP), from January 8, 1942 until May 31, 1944

Trade, Industry and Agriculture: Johannes van den Broek (without party), from May 31, 1944

Shipping and Fishing: James Marnix de Booij (liberal, without party), from May 31, 1944

Social Affairs: Jan van den Tempel (SDAP)

Colonies:

Charles Joseph Ignace Marie Welter (RKSP), until November 17, 1941

Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy (ARP), from November 17, 1941 until May 21, 1942

Hubertus van Mook (without party), from May 21, 1942

References

Second Gerbrandy cabinet Wikipedia

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