1917 Potato riots
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The Potato riots in June–July 1917 was a popular uprising in the Dutch capital city Amsterdam that was caused by the food shortage in the Netherlands during World War I.[1][2]
History
In the beginning of the 20th century, food was more within the reach of the workers. The First World War changed this. The Netherlands
Rebellion
In the first week of July of that year, the unrest grew and the workers themselves also saw action. Warehouses and shops were looted. The police were powerless and the army acted. The revolt culminated in a battle on 5 July 1917, in which soldiers opened fire on a crowd that had gathered at the
Post 1917 food shortages
The food situation deteriorated further in 1918, the last year of the war. Many people lived on the brink of starvation and unemployment rose. The Spanish flu epidemic hit and killed thousands of people, weakened as they were by starvation. The armistice on 11 November 1918 came just in time for the Netherlands. For the workers another winter of hunger and cold was prevented, as well as an impending revolution.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Potato eaters shot". International Institute of Social History. July 7, 1917.
- ^ "Potato riots in Amsterdam". Bendigo Advertiser. July 6, 1917. p. 7 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Aardappeloproer". Amsterdam en de Eerste Wereldoorlog (in Dutch). Stadsarchief Amsterdam.
External links
- Reference site (in Dutch)
- An article in the NY Times