Joop den Uyl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Joop den Uyl
Den Uyl in 1975
Prime Minister of the Netherlands
In office 11 May 1973 – 19 December 1977
Monarch	Juliana
Deputy	See list Dries van Agt (1973–1977) Gaius de Gaay Fortman (1977)
Preceded by	Barend Biesheuvel
Succeeded by	Dries van Agt
Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands
In office 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982 Serving with Jan Terlouw
Prime Minister	Dries van Agt
Preceded by	Hans Wiegel
Succeeded by	Jan Terlouw
Minister of Social Affairs and Employment
In office 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982
Prime Minister	Dries van Agt
Preceded by	Wil Albeda as Minister of Social Affairs
Succeeded by	Louw de Graaf
Minister for Netherlands Antilles Affairs
In office 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982
Prime Minister	Dries van Agt
Preceded by	Fons van der Stee
Succeeded by	Jan de Koning
President of the Party of European Socialists
In office 8 March 1980 – 19 May 1987
Preceded by	Robert Pontillon
Succeeded by	Vítor Constâncio
Leader of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives
In office 16 September 1982 – 21 July 1986
Preceded by	Wim Meijer
Succeeded by	Wim Kok
In office 16 January 1978 – 11 September 1981
Preceded by	Ed van Thijn
Succeeded by	Wim Meijer
In office 8 June 1977 – 8 September 1977
Preceded by	Ed van Thijn
Succeeded by	Ed van Thijn
In office 23 February 1967 – 11 May 1973
Preceded by	Gerard Nederhorst
Succeeded by	Ed van Thijn
Leader of the Labour Party
In office 13 September 1966 – 21 July 1986
Deputy	See list Anne Vondeling (1966–1972) André van der Louw (1971–1974) Ed van Thijn (1973–1983) Jos van Kemenade (1977–1986) Wim Meijer (1981–1986) Wim Kok (1986)
Preceded by	Anne Vondeling
Succeeded by	Wim Kok
Minister of Economic Affairs
In office 14 April 1965 – 22 November 1966
Prime Minister	Jo Cals
Preceded by	Koos Andriessen
Succeeded by	Joop Bakker
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 16 September 1982 – 24 December 1987
In office 16 January 1978 – 11 September 1981
In office 8 June 1977 – 8 September 1977
In office 23 February 1967 – 11 May 1973
In office 6 November 1956 – 5 June 1963
Personal details
Born	Johannes Marten den Uijl (1919-08-09)9 August 1919 Hilversum, Netherlands
Died	24 December 1987(1987-12-24) (aged 68) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cause of death	Brain tumor
Political party	Labour Party (from 1946)
Other political affiliations	Anti-Revolutionary Party (1937–1946)
Spouse	Liesbeth van Vessem ​ (m. 1944)​
Children	7 including Saskia Noorman-den Uyl
Alma mater	University of Amsterdam (BEc, M.Econ)
Occupation	Politician · civil servant · economist · journalist · editor · author · activist
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Johannes Marten den Uijl, known as Joop den Uyl (born August 9, 1919 – died December 24, 1987), was a Dutch politician. He served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1973 to 1977. He was a member of the Labour Party (PvdA).

Den Uyl studied Economics at the University of Amsterdam. He worked for the government and as a journalist. From 1949 to 1963, he led the Wiardi Beckman Stichting, a think tank for the Labour Party. He became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1956. In 1965, he became the Minister of Economic Affairs. He was chosen as the leader of the Labour Party in 1966.

In 1973, after an election, Joop den Uyl became the Prime Minister. His government faced big challenges like the 1973 oil crisis. This happened when oil-producing countries stopped selling oil to some nations, including the Netherlands. Den Uyl's government also made many important social changes.

His government ended in 1977 due to disagreements. After another election, he did not form a new government. He later returned as Deputy Prime Minister in 1981 but this government also lasted only a short time. He continued to be a leader in parliament until 1986. Joop den Uyl was known as a skilled debater and a strong leader. He died in 1987 at the age of 68.

Early Life and Education

Johannes Marten den Uijl was born on August 9, 1919, in Hilversum, Netherlands. His family was Calvinist. His father, a shopkeeper, died when Joop was ten years old.

He went to the Christian Lyceum in Hilversum from 1931 to 1936. After that, he studied Economics at the University of Amsterdam. He earned his degree in 1942.

During World War II, he worked for the government. He also helped with a secret newspaper called Het Parool. After the war, he continued working as a journalist. From 1949 to 1963, he was the head of the Wiardi Beckman Stichting. This was a research group for the Labour Party.

Political Journey

In 1953, Den Uyl was elected to the city council of Amsterdam. In 1956, he became a member of the Dutch House of Representatives. He later served as the municipal administrator for economic affairs in Amsterdam.

In 1965, he became the Minister of Economic Affairs. During this time, he made the difficult decision to close coal mines in Limburg. This caused many people to lose their jobs. In 1966, he became the leader of the Labour Party in parliament.

Becoming Prime Minister

The Labour Party, led by Den Uyl, won the 1972 election. After long talks, he formed a government in 1973. He became the Prime Minister of the Netherlands on May 11, 1973.

His time as Prime Minister was challenging. One major event was the 1973 oil crisis. This happened because the Netherlands supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War. Oil-producing countries then stopped selling oil to the Netherlands. Den Uyl told the country that things would change. His government introduced rules like fuel rationing and banning driving on Sundays.

Important Changes and Reforms

Even with economic problems, Den Uyl's government made many social improvements. They increased welfare payments and linked benefits to wages. They also created a system to help people with their rent.

Other important changes included:

• Making it easier for schools to choose their own lessons.
• Giving extra money to unemployed people who took lower-paying jobs.
• Allowing older unemployed people to receive benefits until age 65.
• Protecting jobs for pregnant women and new mothers.
• Increasing the years children had to attend school.
• Introducing a law for equal pay for men and women in private companies.
• Investing more in home care services for families.

In 1974, a minimum wage was set for young people aged 15 to 22. In 1976, a law was passed to stop employers from firing women because they were pregnant or got married. Rules were also made to protect workers from dangerous materials like asbestos.

Government Collapse and Later Years

In 1977, Den Uyl's government ended due to disagreements. The Labour Party won many votes in the next election. However, they could not form a new government. Dries van Agt became the new Prime Minister.

Den Uyl returned to government in 1981 as Deputy Prime Minister. This government also faced many internal conflicts and lasted only eight months. He then led the Labour Party in opposition until 1986. He supported the government's decision to allow NATO cruise missiles in the Netherlands.

Family and Final Years

On August 30, 1944, Joop den Uyl married Liesbeth van Vessem. They had seven children, three sons and four daughters. Their eldest daughter, Saskia Noorman-den Uyl, later became a member of parliament for the Labour Party.

After the 1986 elections, Joop den Uyl stepped down as leader of the Labour Party. Wim Kok took over from him.

Death

In October 1987, doctors found that Den Uyl had a serious brain tumor. He passed away two months later, on December 24, 1987, at the age of 68.

Decorations

Honours
Ribbon bar	Honour	Country	Date	Comment
	Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion	Netherlands	5 December 1966
	Honorary Medal for Initiative and Ingenuity of the Order of the House of Orange	Netherlands	19 September 1974
	Grand Officer of the Honorary Order of the Palm	Suriname	4 September 1977
	Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau	Netherlands	9 September 1982	Elevated from Commander (11 April 1978)

Honorary Degrees

Quotes

"Twee dingen:..." ("Two things:..." Many of Den Uyl's answers in interviews started with these words. It meant he was about to give a detailed answer, not just a simple yes or no.)

Images for kids

• 

  United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Prime Minister Joop den Uyl in 1976.

• 

  French Socialist Leader François Mitterrand and Prime Minister Joop den Uyl in 1976.

• 

  British Leader of the Opposition Margaret Thatcher and Prime Minister Joop den Uyl in 1976.

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  Labour Leader Joop den Uyl and British Leader of the Opposition Neil Kinnock in Rotterdam in 1984.

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  Vice President of the United States George H. W. Bush and Labour Leader Joop den Uyl in The Hague in 1985.

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  Labour Leader Joop den Uyl and Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres in The Hague in 1986.

See also

In Spanish: Joop den Uyl para niños