H. C. Hansen
Encyclopedia
Hans Christian Svane Hansen (November 8, 1906 – February 19, 1960), often known as H. C. Hansen or simply H. C., was a social democrat
and Prime Minister
of Denmark
from 29 January 1955 to 19 February 1960 as the head of the Cabinet of H. C. Hansen I and II. Before becoming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen also served as Finance Minister
in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft I and Foreign Minister
in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II.
As Foreign Minister, H. C. Hansen was seen as the natural successor as Prime Minister and leader of the Social Democrats, when his friend Hans Hedtoft
died of a heart attack
on 29 January 1955. In addition to becoming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen also retained the post as Foreign Minister until 1958. One of the laws passed by this government was the universal people's pension.
In March 1957 it had been 4 years since the last election to the Folketing
, and as mandated by the Danish constitution new elections were held. After the election H. C. Hansen was able to partner with the Danish Social Liberal Party and Retsforbundet
to form the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II, also known as the Triangle Cabinet (Trekantsregeringen).
On 25 March 1957 France
, West Germany
, Italy
, Belgium
, the Netherlands
and Luxembourg
signed the Treaty of Rome
to create the European Economic Community
. To not be left behind the Danish government first wanted to join a Nordic free trade
organization, but that failed and Denmark joined the EFTA
on 3 May 1960 instead. Denmark would join the European Economic Community in 1972.
H. C. Hansen died from cancer
on 19 February 1960, and was succeeded by Viggo Kampmann
in the Social Democrats
party and as Prime Minister. He was the second Danish prime minister in a row to die while in office.
Social Democrats (Denmark)
The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark...
and Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Denmark
The Prime Minister of Denmark is the head of government in Danish politics. The Prime Minister is traditionally the leader of a political coalition in the Folketing and presides over the cabinet....
of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
from 29 January 1955 to 19 February 1960 as the head of the Cabinet of H. C. Hansen I and II. Before becoming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen also served as Finance Minister
Finance Minister of Denmark
The Finance Minister of Denmark is the head of the Ministry of Finance of Denmark, and a member of the Cabinet. As head of the ministry, the minister has responsibility for the ministry's tasks of administrering the state finances via the fiscal policy, and making economic predictions and...
in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft I and Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister of Denmark
The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs handles Denmark's foreign affairs. The Foreign Minister works in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.The current Minister for Foreign Affairs is Villy Søvndal.-External links:***...
in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II.
As Foreign Minister, H. C. Hansen was seen as the natural successor as Prime Minister and leader of the Social Democrats, when his friend Hans Hedtoft
Hans Hedtoft
Hans Hedtoft Hansen was Prime Minister of Denmark from 13 November 1947 to 30 October 1950 as the leader of the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft I and again from 30 September 1953 to 29 January 1955 as the leader of the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II.Hedtoft was a Social Democrat, and had taken over the...
died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on 29 January 1955. In addition to becoming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen also retained the post as Foreign Minister until 1958. One of the laws passed by this government was the universal people's pension.
In March 1957 it had been 4 years since the last election to the Folketing
Folketing
The Folketing , is the national parliament of Denmark. The name literally means "People's thing"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace, on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen....
, and as mandated by the Danish constitution new elections were held. After the election H. C. Hansen was able to partner with the Danish Social Liberal Party and Retsforbundet
Justice Party of Denmark
Danmarks Retsforbund was founded in 1919. The party's platform is based upon the principles of U.S. economist Henry George who advocated a single tax on all land...
to form the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II, also known as the Triangle Cabinet (Trekantsregeringen).
On 25 March 1957 France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
signed the Treaty of Rome
Treaty of Rome
The Treaty of Rome, officially the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, was an international agreement that led to the founding of the European Economic Community on 1 January 1958. It was signed on 25 March 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany...
to create the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
. To not be left behind the Danish government first wanted to join a Nordic free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
organization, but that failed and Denmark joined the EFTA
European Free Trade Association
The European Free Trade Association or EFTA is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates parallel to, and is linked to, the European Union . EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable to, or chose not to,...
on 3 May 1960 instead. Denmark would join the European Economic Community in 1972.
H. C. Hansen died from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on 19 February 1960, and was succeeded by Viggo Kampmann
Viggo Kampmann
Viggo Olfert Fischer Kampmann was the leader of the Danish Social Democrats and Prime Minister of Denmark from 19 February 1960 until 3 September 1962. His cabinet before the 1960 election was called the Cabinet of Viggo Kampmann I and the cabinet he formed after that election was called the...
in the Social Democrats
Social Democrats (Denmark)
The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark...
party and as Prime Minister. He was the second Danish prime minister in a row to die while in office.