Amsterdam - Historical Background

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Amsterdam has always been a well-known name in world history. In the 17th century Amsterdam was the centre of world economics, but nowadays the city is known for its tolerant character.

Early Amsterdam

Holland in the 12th century was barely habitable. The land was very humid and consisted mainly of peat. Various rivers intersected the landscape. One of those was the River Amstel, which flowed into the River Ij. By the end of the twelfth century a small settlement arose near a dam in this river. Thanks to this dam the city is called Amsterdam; this dam is still the most important place in the city, but is now used as a square. Amsterdam became a town at the beginning of the 13th century, after the then sovereign lord declared it juridical as a town.

Meanwhile the town extended slowly from the centre around the Dam. Various ramparts were thrown up and canals were dug. Around 1420 the town was bursting at the seams once again. On the eastern part a new wall was built along the present Geldersekade and Kloveniersburgwal. On the west side a moat canal was dug. The economy at that time was not really developed, being based largely on beer and herrings. It was only after Amsterdam became a part of the Burgundian Empire during the 15th century that things began to go faster. Amsterdam's harbour had a stable function: fish from the south and grain from the Baltic countries were traded in the city's markets. Because of its economic prosperity, Amsterdam developed into Holland's largest city, with a population of about 30,000.

During the second half of the 16th century, Europe had to deal with reformation. The Low Countries seceded from Spain after the Eighty Years' War, renouncing Catholicism. For a long period Amsterdam was allied with the Spaniards, but in 1578 Amsterdam was finally united with the rest of the Netherlands as one of the newest cities. Holland was one of the most tolerant regions in Europe during this period. For that reason, many Protestants and Portuguese Jews who were persecuted elsewhere in Europe moved to cities in Holland. A large number of merchants from Antwerp resumed their business in Amsterdam, which meant a big boost for the local economy.

Golden Age

The Dutch were forced to find their own route to the Indies because of the annexation of Portugal by Spain in 1580. The first voyages to the Indies started in Amsterdam and were a major success. Stimulated by these results, plans were made everywhere in the country to send more ships to the Indies. Out of all these initiatives the United East Indian Company came into existence, the VOC. Over fifty percent of the capital from the new company was in the hands of Amsterdam. When the VOC was founded not only merchants were involved, but citizens invested in the project as well.

The 17th century was a period of glory for Amsterdam. Wealth, power, culture and forbearance flourished in the city. The population increased rapidly during this period and because of this, the city extended greatly. Amsterdam built its famous ring of canals, and tall houses were built on the canals, taller than in other old city centres in Holland. The Government strongly encouraged this development, because it added to Amsterdam's prestige. During the first half of this century two churches were built: Zuiderkerk and Westerkerk. The old gothic town hall was burnt down in 1652 and a new town hall, the present-day Palace on Dam Square was built. The Plaetse or Dam Square was enlarged by a huge degree, just like the rest of the city. After the Jordaan was completed, around 1700, approximately 200,000 people were living in Amsterdam.

Culturally these days were roaring as well. Due to Amsterdam's economic prosperity, its citizens could afford to surround themselves with objets d'art. Bredero, Vondel and P.C. Hooft wrote their famous poetry, while painter Rembrandt and his students had their atelier in Amsterdam. Philosophers like Spinoza and Descartes formulated their ideas on paper.

But in locations where things are going well, mischief lies in wait. In 1672 the powerful Netherlands got involved in a war with France and England. Amsterdam's harbour was inaccessible to the fleets sailing in from the Dutch Indies, and because of this the boisterous prosperity came to a halt by the end of the 17th century. The structure of Amsterdam's economy changed: the city lost its position as stable market for world trade. However, money transfers became more and more important and Amsterdam became the financial heart of the world, the banker for European Monarchs who financed their expensive wars with borrowed money.

After 1850

Amsterdam moved on quietly until industrialization also took its hold on the Netherlands. After 1850 the population in Amsterdam suddenly increased greatly: people moved to the city from all over the Netherlands in quest of employment. New residential quarters were needed, resulting in town developments like the Pijp and the Vondelpark. After 1920 the large developments with new districts in the west, south and east followed. Plan Zuid by architect Berlage is still very popular. North of the River Ij new quarters also arose.

But in 1939 one of the darkest pages in world history became a terrible reality: World War II. Amsterdam's population was hit very hard. Amsterdam had always had a lot of Jewish inhabitants, and many of them were deported and did not survive. Places like Anne Frank's House and the National Monument on Dam Square, are a reminder of this horrible period. After the war Amsterdam continued growing. In the sixties the Bijlmer was built, with its high blocks of flats, and the latest project is a new island in the River Ij, called Ij-Burg and featuring 20,000 houses.

Amsterdam is still the Netherlands' undisputed cultural centre with orchestras, ballet and stages, museums and galleries and two universities. Soccer plays an important role in the life of many Amsterdammers. In the seventies Amsterdam was famous once again because of Johan Cruyff and Ajax. Ajax and the Dutch national squad's victories are celebrated like real national feasts in Amsterdam. To sum up, Amsterdam is and will remain the true capital of the Netherlands!







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Jordaan
Amsterdam
Jordaan
Dam Square
Amsterdam
Dam Square
Anne Frank House


Anne Frank's Hideaway
 Prinsengracht 267
Amsterdam 1016 GV
+31 (0)20 556 7105
http://www.annefrank.org
Anne Frank House
Beurs van Berlage


Architecture, Exhibitions & Concerts
 Damrak 277
Amsterdam 1012 ZJ
+31 (0)20 530 4141
http://www.beursvanberlage.nl/
Beurs van Berlage
Dam


War Memorial
 In Old City
Amsterdam 1012 JS
+31 (0)20 201 8800 (Tourist Information Centre)
Dam
Albert Cuypmarkt


Biggest daily market in Amsterdam
 Albert Cuypstraat 217-219
Amsterdam 1073 BG
+31 (0)20 693 7117
http://www.albertcuypmarkt.com
Albert Cuypmarkt
The South Church


The South Church
 Zuiderkerkhof 72
Amsterdam 1011 WB
+31 (0)20 552 7987
http://www.zuiderkerk.amsterdam.nl
The South Church
Shipping Museum


For old times sake
 Kattenburgerplein 1
Amsterdam 1018 KK
+31 (0)20 523 2222
http://www.scheepvaartmuseum.nl
Shipping Museum
Koninklijk Palace


Former City Hall, now the Royal Palace
 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147
Amsterdam 1012 RJ
+31 (0)20 320 4060
http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/content.jsp?objectid=13411
Koninklijk Palace
VondelPark


City Center Green
 vondelpark
Amsterdam 1054 ET
+31 20 523 7790
VondelPark
Amstel


The river after which Amsterdam is named
 Muntplein
Amsterdam 1012 WP
+31 (0)20 201 8800 (Toerist Bureau)
Amstel
The West Church


Amsterdam's Most Famous Church
 Prinsengracht 281
Amsterdam 1016 GW
+31 20 624 7766
http://www.westerkerk.nl
The West Church
Ajax Museum


Holland's most famous club
 ArenA Boulevard 3
Amsterdam 1101 EJ
+31 (0)20 311 1444
http://www.ajax.nl
Ajax Museum
Rijksmuseum


Holland's most famous museum
 Jan Luijkenstraat 1
Amsterdam 1071 ZD
+31 (0)20 674 7000
http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/
Rijksmuseum
IJ River Bank


IJ River Bank
 Bezoekerscentrum IJburg
Amsterdam 1095 KM
+31 (0)20 552 9696
http://www.ijoevers.nl
IJ River Bank
Amsterdam
Amsterdam - Art & Entertainment
Amsterdam - Where to Stay
Amsterdam - Neighborhood Guide
Amsterdam - Dining & Drinking
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