Dirk Jan de Geer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonkheer Dirk Jan de Geer
De Geer in 1929
Prime Minister of the Netherlands
In office 10 August 1939 – 3 September 1940
Monarch	Wilhelmina
Preceded by	Hendrikus Colijn
Succeeded by	Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy
In office 8 March 1926 – 10 August 1929
Monarch	Wilhelmina
Preceded by	Hendrikus Colijn
Succeeded by	Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck
Chairman of the Christian Historical Union
In office 30 June 1933 – 10 August 1939
Preceded by	Jan Rudolph Slotemaker de Bruïne
Succeeded by	Hendrik Tilanus
Parliamentary leader in the House of Representatives
In office 28 April 1933 – 10 August 1939
Preceded by	Reinhardt Snoeck Henkemans
Succeeded by	Hendrik Tilanus
Parliamentary group	Christian Historical Union
Leader of the Christian Historical Union
In office 8 July 1929 – 14 May 1940
Preceded by	Johan de Visser
Succeeded by	Hendrik Tilanus
Minister of the Interior and Agriculture
In office 4 August 1925 – 8 March 1926
Prime Minister	Hendrikus Colijn
Preceded by	Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck
Succeeded by	Jan Kan
Minister of Finance
In office 10 August 1939 – 3 September 1940
Prime Minister	Dirk Jan de Geer
Preceded by	Christiaan Bodenhausen
Succeeded by	Charles Welter
In office 8 March 1926 – 26 May 1933
Prime Minister	Dirk Jan de Geer (1926–1929) Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck (1929–1933)
Preceded by	Hendrikus Colijn
Succeeded by	Pieter Oud
In office 28 July 1921 – 11 August 1923
Prime Minister	Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck
Preceded by	Simon de Vries
Succeeded by	Hendrikus Colijn
Mayor of Arnhem
In office 8 May 1920 – 28 July 1921
Preceded by	Aarnoud van Heemstra
Succeeded by	Salomon de Monchy
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 9 May 1933 – 10 August 1939
In office 25 July 1922 – 18 September 1922
In office 4 November 1907 – 30 August 1921
Parliamentary group	Christian Historical Union (1908–1939) Christian Historical Party (1907–1908)
Personal details
Born	Dirk Jan de Geer (1870-12-14)14 December 1870 Groningen, Netherlands
Died	28 November 1960(1960-11-28) (aged 89) Soest, Netherlands
Political party	Christian Historical Union (from 1908)
Other political affiliations	Christian Historical Party (1903–1908) Christian Historical Voters' League (until 1903)
Spouse	Maria Voorhoeve ​ ​ (m. 1904; died 1955)​
Relations	Boudewijn de Geer (grandson) Mike de Geer (great-grandson)
Children	5
Alma mater	Utrecht University (LLB, LLM)
Occupation	Politician civil servant jurist managing editor author

Jonkheer Dirk Jan de Geer (born December 14, 1870 – died November 28, 1960) was an important Dutch politician. He belonged to the Christian Historical Union party. He served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands two times. His first time was from 1926 to 1929, and his second time was from 1939 to 1940, during the start of World War II.

Dirk Jan de Geer's Early Life and Career

Dirk Jan de Geer was born in Groningen, Netherlands. After finishing his law studies in 1895, he started working as a journalist. He also served as a town councillor in Rotterdam from 1901 to 1907.

Becoming a Politician

In 1907, De Geer became a member of the Dutch Parliament for the Christian Historical Union party. He was known as a steady and respected politician before World War II began.

Key Roles Before World War II

• From 1920 to 1921, De Geer was the mayor of Arnhem.
• Between 1921 and 1923, he worked as the Minister of Finance. He resigned in 1923 because he disagreed with a new law about the navy.
• From 1925 to 1926, he served as the Minister of the Interior and Minister of Agriculture.
• He became Prime Minister for the first time from March 8, 1926, to August 10, 1929. During this time, he also served as Minister of Finance until 1933.

Dirk Jan de Geer During World War II

In August 1939, after the previous government ended, De Geer was asked to become Prime Minister again. He also took on the roles of Minister of Finance and General Affairs. However, he himself felt he was not the right person to lead a country during wartime.

The German Invasion

When Nazi Germany attacked the Netherlands on May 10, 1940, the situation quickly became very serious. The Dutch government, including De Geer, had to flee to Britain for safety.

Challenges in Britain

While in Britain, De Geer believed that the Netherlands should try to make a separate peace with Germany. He openly said that the war could not be won, which made the Dutch government and people feel less hopeful. Because of this, Queen Wilhelmina decided he should be replaced. Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy took over as Prime Minister in September 1940.

Actions After Being Replaced

De Geer was later sent on a trip to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). However, he stopped in Portugal and returned to the Netherlands, which was then occupied by the Germans. This greatly upset Queen Wilhelmina. He then wrote a leaflet that suggested people cooperate with the Germans, which was very controversial. The Dutch government in exile warned him that he would face consequences after the war if he published it. Despite the warning, he published the leaflet.

After the War

After World War II ended, De Geer faced a trial for his actions during the war. He was found responsible for his choices and lost his honorary titles. He was given a sentence of imprisonment, but it was suspended, meaning he did not have to go to prison right away.

Personal Life

Dirk Jan de Geer married Maria Voorhoeve on August 11, 1904. They were married until her death in 1955. He had five children. His grandson, Boudewijn de Geer, and great-grandson, Mike de Geer, both became professional footballers.

Later Life and Death

Dirk Jan de Geer passed away on November 28, 1960, in Soest, Netherlands. He was 89 years old.

Images for kids

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  Ribbon for the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion

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  Ribbon for Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau

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  Flag of the Netherlands