The origin of the administrative reform of 1954 was the 1941 Atlantic Charter (stating "the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live", and the desire for "a permanent system of general security"), which was signed by the Netherlands on 1 January 1942.

In this speech, the queen, on behalf of the Dutch government-in-exile in London, expressed a desire to review the relations between the Netherlands and its colonies after the end of the war.

After liberation, the government would call a conference to agree on a settlement in which the overseas territories could participate in the administration of the kingdom on a basis of equality.

The right of the two autonomous countries to leave the kingdom unilaterally, was not recognised; yet it also stipulated that the charter could be dissolved by mutual consultation.

The Surinamese government under Jules Sedney argued that the Netherlands was acting in undue haste, and that independence required longer-term planning.

[2] The newly elected government of Henck Arron however accepted Den Uyl's invitation that Suriname be independent by the end of 1975.

The first day of the independent Republic of Suriname was celebrated in the company of Princess Beatrix, Prince Claus and Prime Minister Den Uyl.