Gijs van Hall
Gijsbert van Hall | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Died | May 22, 1977 (aged 73) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, resistance activist, politician |
| Years active | 1928–1967 |
| Known for | Mayor of Amsterdam (1957–1967), Dutch resistance financing during WWII |
Gijsbert van Hall (21 April 1904 – 22 May 1977) was a prominent Dutch banker, resistance activist, and politician who held the position of Mayor of Amsterdam from 1957 until 1967.
Early life and banking career
Van Hall was born into a well-established banking family in Amsterdam. His academic pursuits were interrupted by a bout of tuberculosis. From 1923 to 1928, he pursued legal studies at the University of Leiden. In 1928, he relocated to New York City to work with American investment firm Kean, Taylor & Co., aiming to acquire financial expertise before returning to the Netherlands. Upon his return, he joined Nederlandse Trust Maatschappij. Throughout the 1930s, Van Hall played a role in restructuring debts during the Great Depression and became interested in fostering collaboration between labor and management by engaging with workers directly.
Dutch resistance movement
During the German occupation of the Netherlands, Van Hall collaborated with his brother Walraven van Hall to establish the Nationaal Steunfonds (NSF), which financed resistance efforts. Utilizing his banking expertise, Gijsbert orchestrated the issuance of counterfeit government bonds that generated approximately 83 million guilders—equivalent to around 450 million Euros in 2021. These funds supported resistance fighters, intelligence operations, refugee shelters, and strikes. The money was discreetly distributed as unemployment benefits, aiding various resistance initiatives including support for the Dutch navy operating in exile.
Senator
Following World War II, Van Hall became a member of the Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) and was appointed director of Labouchère and Co. in 1948. He secured a senate seat for PvdA in 1956, where he served as a financial policy spokesperson. In 1957, he assumed the mayoralty of Amsterdam while retaining his senate position until he opted not to run again in 1971. During his mayoral period, he was re-elected to the senate in 1960, 1963, and 1966.
Mayor of Amsterdam
Van Hall took office as Amsterdam's mayor on 1 February 1957. His administration oversaw major urban projects such as the construction of the IJtunnel, early development stages of the Bijlmermeer district, and expansion of the University of Amsterdam. Known for his firm negotiation style, Van Hall aimed to govern with minimal interference from outside authorities and frequently lobbied the national government for financial support for city initiatives.
His leadership faced criticism over handling protests against the Vietnam War in 1961. With an inadequately resourced police force struggling to control large demonstrations, law enforcement resorted to forceful measures that intensified unrest in subsequent years. The emergence of the Provo movement, which employed peaceful provocations to highlight police brutality, deepened political divisions within Amsterdam. Van Hall was reproached for police misconduct and confronted skepticism from the Ministry of Justice concerning his capacity to maintain public order. His rapport with police commissioner Van Der Molen deteriorated, hampering effective communication.
Van Hall’s tenure concluded following a strike by construction workers in June 1966 that resulted in a protester’s death—officially attributed to a heart attack but widely believed to have been caused by police violence. In 1967, after national inquiries into civil disturbances, the Ministry of the Interior issued an ultimatum demanding his resignation or dismissal. Van Hall declined to step down before receiving an official evaluation of his shortcomings and was ultimately dismissed on 30 June 1967. His exit contributed to easing tensions and led to the dissolution of the Provos.
The Resistance Banker
Released in 2018, The Resistance Banker (original Dutch title: Bankier van het Verzet) is a dramatized motion picture depicting the resistance activities of Walraven Van Hall, featuring Jacob Derwig in the role of Gijs van Hall.