Red Week (Netherlands)

Red Week
Part of the revolutions of 1917–23
Cartoon of the aftermath of the Red Week from De Amsterdammer
Date	9–16 November 1918
Location	Netherlands
Caused by	Aftermath of World War I
Goals	Revolutionary socialism
Resulted in	No revolution
Parties
Dutch government Social Democratic Party Revolutionary socialists
Casualties
Death(s)	4

The Red Week (Dutch: Ro(o)de Week) was a period from 9 to 16 November 1918 when socialist revolution was anticipated in the Netherlands.^[1] The Red Week anticipation stemmed from the end of the First World War and revolutions elsewhere in Europe.

The most prominent call for revolution came from Pieter Jelles Troelstra, leader of the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP). However, the majority of his party's leadership opposed a revolution and sought to calm their base. Meanwhile, the government took steps to prevent a revolution by strengthening security and implementing social measures. A counter-movement was formed by Catholic and Protestant groups.

On 13 November, revolutionary socialists led by David Wijnkoop and Henriette Roland Holst organised a demonstration in Amsterdam, which turned violent and resulted in the deaths of four protesters. The protest had no follow-up, and it soon became clear that no revolution was materialising. At the end of the week, Troelstra admitted he had misjudged the situation, which is why it became known as Troelstra's mistake (Dutch: Vergissing van Troelstra).