The History Of Amsterdam Essays - Geography Of Amsterdam, Baltic Sea

The History Of Amsterdam An Investigation into the Historical Development of Amsterdam. 1. Introduction This project focuses upon the development of Amsterdam between the years 1200 and 1800 AD. The city of Amsterdam is of great importance to the Netherlands, as it is the country?s nominal capital (the political centre is Den Haag). Alongside being the most carefully constructed Dutch city, Amsterdam attracts the highest number of foreign visitors to the Netherlands. The city itself stands upon the confluence of the rivers Amstel and Ijsselmeer, at the heart of the Randstad . As Amsterdam was one of the first medieval cities to be established in the Netherlands, it has a long and interesting past. It has a present-day reputation for as a multicultural, tolerant, and prosperous area; naturally, this has arrived as a result of its history. The aim of the project is to produce a comprehensive, chronologically organised discussion of Amsterdam?s development. This will involve looking at the early establishment of a small fishing village upon the marshy riverbanks (c. 1200). The religious and dynastic conflicts that shaped much of the Low Countries? medieval development will be discussed. This will precede an account of Amsterdam?s metamorphosis into a major European market and global centre, particularly during the Golden Age of the 17th century. The consolidation of Amsterdam?s wealth during a nationwide recession, followed by the city?s decline (1672 ? 1813), will be considered. A secondary consideration will be the ways in which Amsterdam?s political and economic position influenced the Republic as a whole, and vice versa. The city?s financial climate will continually be compared with the Republic?s wealth; I expect to find some interesting differences between the two. Social and cultural aspects, which 00obviously play an important role in any city?s development, will be addressed when relevant. The conclusion of the project will comprise a summary of the above. This will include an analysis of general effect Amsterdam?s prominence had on the Dutch Republic during this time period. 2. Amsterdam?s Origins and the Medieval City (1200 ? 1520) a. The beginning of Amsterdam Amsterdam was settled in approximately 1200 AD. According to Dedalus Cassaro, author of A Short History of Amsterdam, legend has it that a boat, containing two fishermen and their dog ran aground at the mouth of the Amstel river . When the dog leapt out of the boat, the men dicided to set up home on the marshy land. This is reflected in many versions of the city?s coat of arms, upon which the three figures can be seen. The new settlers began to build huts on `terpen? . As the Amstel community expanded, the early residents found a way to protect themselves from the Zuiderzee?s unpredictable tides: this was the point at which the dam system was introduced. The first, built in 1220, was likely to have been a sluice gate across the Amstel?s mouth. The dam became a network of dykes, stretched across the Southern Ijsselmeer?s banks. This system was later adopted by the entire country. It has been modified over the centuries, and is still essential for Dutch water management By 1275, a ribbon-shaped development of homes, as well as the predecessor of the Oude Kerk, zhad been built alongside the dykes. The hamlet known as ?Amstelledamme? was, according to archaeologist Jan Baert, built by construction workers who had come from the Utrecht bishopric to create more dykes . Amstelledamme?s shaping fell under the influence of religious and dynastic conflict. The feudalism between the German emperors and French kings, who had been involved in power struggles over control of the Low Countries, gradually began to subside. This was replaced with a complex network of local allegiances, which led to further feudal struggles. The most important conflict of the time was between the Lords van Amstel and the Counts of the province of Holland. The latter were backed by the Bishop of Utrecht, who technically held power over the future Republic. In approximately 1275, Floris V (the Count of Holland) granted the Freedom Charter, from his court in Den Haag. This stated that Amstelledam residents were exempt from paying tolls when shipping their goods through Holland county. The Charter is the city?s oldest surviving document This would later play an important role in making the city