History of Amsterdam (part 4)Golden AgeThe 17th century was boom-time for Amsterdam. Riches, power, culture and tolerance burgeoned in the city.Not surprisingly, the city's magnificent network of canals was set out in the 17th century. And along the canals which girdle the city, the citizens built houses taller than any seen in any other Dutch city. The city authorities encouraged this "tall is prestigious" idea to add to the glory of Amsterdam. Two massive places of worship were built in the first half of the century, the Zuiderkerk (South Church) and Westerkerk (West Church). The gothic city hall was destroyed by fire in 1652 and the present building (now the Dam Palace) rose up on the same site. Dam Square, still a market place in those days, was expanded considerably. The city grew to 200,000 inhabitants by 1700. CultureCulture flourished alongside business. Poets and playwrights like Bredero, Vondel and P.C. Hooft created their immortal works. Rembrandt and his pupils had their ateliers here. And the philosophers Spinoza and Descartes brought new insights.Economic crashAmsterdam looked rich and powerful but its prosperity was fragile. War with England prevented the arrival of a crucial merchant fleet from the Indies. This brought the city on the brink of bankruptcy. For people at the lower end of the social scale this meant no work. They went hungry and discontent smoldered. Baltic trade was still the traditional pillar of the city's economy. And when war came to the Baltic, Amsterdam ships fought on the Danish side against Sweden and Norway. The year 1673 brought a new trial of strength with war between the Republic of France of Louis XIV. On top of this, England attacked. Making good use of the turmoil, William III of Orange seized power. And when the direct danger to the country had been quickly disposed off, William III wanted to continue the war. Amsterdam opposed these plans considering it to be a waste of money.The city's period of boom had run out by the end of the 17th century. The city lost its status as heavyweight commercial sea-power. Money started to play a greater role and the city became Europe's financial banking center. Princes and potentates came here to borrow the funds to finance their wars.Meanwhile the middle classes were becoming politically aware. Social divideBy around 1600, wide gaps had developed between the classes in Amsterdam. On top were the Regents - wealthy families who effectively ran the city, filling their pockets along the way. Nepotism was the order of the day. A newborn baby from the right family could be appointed to well paid sinecure (i.e. a job with a formal title but no work to do). Meanwhile, basic necessities were heavily taxed and unemployment was widespread. Gradually, a new middle class arose between the rich regents and de poor at the bottom of the social ladder. These new citizens were literate and open to new ideas from England and France and wanted a slice of power. The 18th century brought an age of enlightenment to Europe. The old order was being questioned. The air was alive with new ideas and theories around democracy and the sharing of power. These middle-class citizens saw the House of Orange as a natural ally against the regents. And in 1747, middle-class pressure secured many of the powers of a monarch for William IV of Orange.
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