The Communist party of the Netherlands (CPN, in Dutch Communistische Partij Nederland) was a communist party
of the Netherlands. It was founded in 1909 and ceased to exist in 1991 as it joined GroenLinks. It is the most successful communist party of the Dutch history electing MPs from before World War II until 1986. The CPN was a member of the Third International.
Goals
The CPN analysed the exploitation of the working class as a consequence of capitalism. It fought against the monarchy, for women rights and for better working conditions.
History
- 1909 : The Social democrat Party (Sociaal-Democratische Partij) is born from the scission of the Labour Social Democrat Party (Sociaal-Democratische Arbeiderspartij)
- 1919 : The party changes its name to Communist Party of Holland (Communistische Partij Holland)
- 1929 : The CPH gets its first seat in the Tweede Kamer (parliament).
- 1933 : The party changes its name to Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij van Nederland)
- 1933 : The CPN obtains 4 seats (out of 100) in the Tweede Kamer.
- 1946 : The CPN obtains 10.6 % at the parliamentary elections and 10 seats in the Parliament.
- 1956 : The communists' unpopularity grows in the Netherlands as a consequence of the Soviet move in Hungary.
- 1959 : The CPN gets it lowest result in the period 1945-1970 with only 2.4 % of the votes.
- 1968 : Europe-wide student protest, the CPN gains strength again.
- 1977 : The CPN falls back to 2 seats (out of 150).
- 1986 : The CPN loses its last MPs.
- 1991 : The CPN merges with other left-wing parties into GroenLinks.
Best-known CPN members
- David Wijnkoop
- Herman Gorter
- Paul de Groot
- Marcus Bakker
- Ina Brouwer
Size of the CPN
