Amsterdam
Netherlands
A short story about the history of
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The city of Amsterdam, Netherlands has always been a well-known
name in the world history. It is well-known throughout the world as
the greatest planned city of the northern Europe, and is highly
acclaimed for its rich heritage. It was considered as the center of
world economy in the 17th century, and now the city of
Amsterdam, Netherlands is acclaimed for its tolerant character.
Amsterdam weather is typically European continental.
The Early Days of Amsterdam,
Netherlands
The greatest planned city of Amsterdam, Netherlands was first
founded as a fishing village around the thirteenth century. It
developed round a dam ion the Amstel river at the end of the
12th century, and the name Amstelledamme occurs for the
first time in October 27, 1275 when the toll concession of Floris
V. Count of Holland happened. During the 14th century
throughout the 15th, Amsterdam, Netherlands experienced
a rapid development, which later on laid the foundation for the
city’s Golden Age.
It was noted that only very few medieval buildings in the city
survive today. The houses were then built of wood, a vulnerable
type of construction material. The world famous Houten Huis is no
exception to this rule. However, most of them were destroyed, but a
surprisingly large number of Amsterdam dwellings still have timber
frames.
Amsterdam,
Natherlands Golden Age
The Golden Age of Amsterdam, Netherlands starts from the period
1585 and ends in 1672. This period was said to be the hey-day of
the city’s commercial success. During this time, the Amsterdam,
Netherlands was the staple market of the world and it is also
during this period that the characteristic Amsterdam cityscape was
developed. It is just worth noting that in 1613 and 1663, urban
expansions are what set the city’s characteristic appearance. It is
also during this time that a number of today’s historic buildings
were built, like the town hall in the Dam Square, which is known as
the Royal Palace at present.
The Age of Gold and
Silver
1672 in Amsterdam, Netherlands was a year of disaster for the
Dutch Republic as the French and English were attacking
simultaneously during this time. The Golden Age of the city had
come to end; however Amsterdam, Netherlands was still able to
manage the consolidation of its prosperity during the period 1672
to 1795 despite of the predicament that the Republic found itself
in.
At that time, the city remained as the major staple market and
managed to retain its position as the financial center of Europe.
Also, a large number of dwellings were built at this period, both
simple and rich canal houses reflect the city’s prosperity.
Amsterdam’s Recession and
Decline
In 1795 the government of the patrician oligarchies was
overthrown from power and the old Republic ceased to exist. Soon,
the French were to occupy the country. It was during the period
1795 to 1813 that Amsterdam, Netherlands has suffered badly from
the economic recession, which is a state of affairs reflected by
the stagnation of the demographic development. A number of houses
were vacant at this time, and some even collapsed for lack of
maintenance. However, some facades and interiors dating back to the
Empire period of Amsterdam, Netherlands still survive up to these
days.
From 1813 to 1940 in the history of Amsterdam, Netherlands
marked the period of economic recovery and it was from 1870 onwards
that the expansion began. A rapid population growth started to
happen and from here an increasing wealth was accumulated. As many
have noted, this development was primarily the result of the
Industrial Revolution which triggered off a New Golden Age.
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