Tracing back: The forgotten history of the 1903 railway strikes in Venlo

In January and April 1903, railway traffic in the Netherlands largely came to a standstill due to massive strikes. Railway workers demanded the right to union recognition and better working conditions.

• Venlo as a strategic hub: As Venlo was a crucial border station for international train traffic (particularly towards Germany), the strikes here were extra tense and complex.

• The government's reaction: At the time, the strikes led to a harsh reaction from the Kuyper cabinet, which passed the so-called 'choking laws' making striking punishable for civil servants and railway personnel. In Venlo, military personnel were deployed to maintain order and keep border traffic moving.

• Human aspect: The book portrays the personal stories of the Venlo railway workers, who had to choose between fighting for their rights or risking dismissal and poverty.