# Willem Drees

> Dutch politician (1886–1988)

**Wikidata**: [Q12769](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12769)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_Drees)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/willem-drees

## Summary
Willem Drees was a Dutch politician (1886–1988) who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1945 to 1948, leading the Schermerhorn-Drees cabinet. He was a key figure in the post-World War II reconstruction of the Netherlands and a prominent member of the Labour Party.

## Biography
- Born: 1886
- Nationality: Dutch
- Known for: Leading the Netherlands' post-war recovery and founding the Labour Party
- Employer(s): Government of the Netherlands, World Esperanto Association
- Field(s): Politics, resistance movement

## Contributions
- Led the Schermerhorn-Drees cabinet (1945–1948), overseeing the Netherlands' post-war reconstruction.
- Founded the Labour Party (1946) as a social-democratic political movement.
- Served as a resistance fighter during World War II.
- Received the Medal of Freedom (1945) from the United States for his contributions to post-war recovery.

## FAQs
- **What was Willem Drees' primary role in the Netherlands?**
  Willem Drees served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1945 to 1948, leading the country's post-war recovery efforts.

- **Which political party did Willem Drees found?**
  He co-founded the Labour Party in 1946, a social-democratic political movement in the Netherlands.

- **What awards did Willem Drees receive?**
  He was honored with the Medal of Freedom (1945), the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, and the Order of the Holy Trinity.

- **Was Willem Drees involved in resistance efforts?**
  Yes, he was a resistance fighter during World War II, contributing to the Dutch effort against Nazi occupation.

## Why They Matter
Willem Drees played a crucial role in shaping the Netherlands' post-war political landscape. His leadership during the Schermerhorn-Drees cabinet helped stabilize the country after World War II, and his founding of the Labour Party established a lasting social-democratic tradition. His work in resistance and government service left a lasting impact on Dutch democracy and international relations.

## Notable For
- Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1945–1948)
- Founder of the Labour Party (1946)
- Resistance fighter during World War II
- Recipient of the Medal of Freedom (1945)
- Honorary doctor of the University of Maryland
- Honorary Member of the World Esperanto Association

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Willem Drees was born in 1886 and worked as a bank teller and stenographer before entering politics. His early career included roles in government and resistance efforts, setting the stage for his later leadership.

### Political Leadership
Drees served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1945 to 1948, leading the Schermerhorn-Drees cabinet. His tenure focused on post-war reconstruction, economic recovery, and political stability. He also co-founded the Labour Party in 1946, which became a key social-democratic force in Dutch politics.

### Resistance and War Efforts
As a resistance fighter, Drees contributed to the Dutch effort against Nazi occupation during World War II. His work in this period helped shape his later political strategies.

### Awards and Recognition
Drees received numerous honors, including the Medal of Freedom (1945), the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, and the Order of the Holy Trinity. He was also an honorary doctor of the University of Maryland and an honorary member of the World Esperanto Association.

### Legacy
Willem Drees' leadership in post-war reconstruction and his founding of the Labour Party left a lasting impact on Dutch democracy. His work in resistance and government service remains influential in Dutch political history.

## References

1. Source
2. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1988/05/19/willem-drees-ex-premier-of-holland-dies-at-101/1962750a-2a52-4dfe-b6ec-612b300460f2/)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Kabinet-Schermerhorn/Drees (1945-1946). Parlement.com
6. [Parlement.com](https://www.parlement.com/id/vg09ll01jztw/w_willem_drees)
7. Parlement.com
8. [Kabinet-Schermerhorn/Drees (1945-1946). Parlement.com](https://www.parlement.com/id/vh8lnhronvwl/kabinet_schermerhorn_drees_1945_1946)
9. Open Plaques
10. [Democratie en socialisme. Land en volk weer vrij (...) Versterkt de Beweging voor het Democratisch Socialisme. Namens het voorlopige Partijbestuur, W. Drees w.n. voorzitter. Kees Woudenberg, secretaris.. Beeldbank WO2](http://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/5ce134b6-025a-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/f9965afb-7322-9378-cd6f-b6542dd2da41)
11. [Belgische ridderorde (Leopoldsorde), ontvangen door Willem Drees](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/object/Belgische-ridderorde-Leopoldsorde-ontvangen-door-Willem-Drees--e16d9c7a49a49305a9c903642e3526cd?tab=data)
12. [National Archives of Sweden](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/E0000847_00196#?c=&m=&s=&cv=195&xywh=2745%2C-84%2C3431%2C1880)
13. International Standard Name Identifier
14. CiNii Research
15. [Archief W. Drees [levensjaren 1886-1988]. Nationaal Archief](https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/2.21.286)
16. Biografisch Woordenboek van Nederland 1880-2000
17. [Haags Gemeentearchief](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12124/6E46F73B54824D3498D8CF6392662AFB)
18. [Stadsarchief Amsterdam](https://archief.amsterdam/indexen/bevolkingsregisters_1874-1893/zoek/query.nl.pl?i1=1&v1=Johannes%20Michiel&a1=Drees&x=22&z=a#BRB00380000042)
19. [Stadsarchief Amsterdam](https://archief.amsterdam/indexen/bevolkingsregisters_1874-1893/zoek/query.nl.pl?i1=1&v1=Johannes%20Michiel&a1=Drees&x=22&z=a#BRB00171000071)
20. [Stadsarchief Amsterdam](https://archief.amsterdam/indexen/bevolkingsregisters_1874-1893/zoek/query.nl.pl?i1=1&v1=Willem&a1=Drees&x=22&z=a#BRB00378000142)
21. Willem Drees. Biografisch Portaal
22. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
23. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
24. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
25. Proleksis Encyclopedia
26. Croatian Encyclopedia
27. Munzinger Personen
28. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
29. [Source](http://www.entoen.nu/willemdrees)
30. Military Records 1828-1940
31. [Source](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12124/574B928F32D641CB9159ED351734AA00)
32. [Source](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12124/993FF6EC0FAB404D8E4BC822EA8A1AB3)
33. FactGrid