 History of Amsterdam (part 1)In world history, culture and commerce, the role of the Netherlands, with Amsterdam as its capital, is significant. This is mainly due to its strategic position. The river Rhine, which passes through several European countries, made it a centre for business and industry. Since its early development, 700 years ago, the city has had a important position in the province of Holland (later to become part of the Netherlands). Starting of as a fishing village, the city developed into a center for trade, arts and politics.
Early DevelopmentThe first document mentioning Amsterdam is dated 1275. In that year Count Floris V granted the people living near the dam on the Amstel River freedom to sail the waters of the Province of Holland, without paying tolls. This tax-exemption was an important step in a long standing power struggle. The lands around the Amstel actually belonged to the Bishop of Utrecht, but were ruled on his behalf by the Lords of Amstel. They were threatening to declare independence from the Bishop. Floris V put a stop to this. A separate, independent Amstel-land did not fit in with his plans. And to win the hearts and minds of the population he granted freedom from tolls. This was a foretaste of the benefits of joining mighty Holland. The plan worked. The Lords of Amstel were obliged to accept the Count of Holland as their feudal master. But they were not happy about it and in 1296 they kidnapped and assassinated Floris. Amsterdam duly reverted to the bishopric of Utrecht. City charterIn 1300 or 1306 - the year can't be fixed for sure - Amsterdam was granted a city charter by its feudal lord, the Bishop of Utrecht. When the bishop died in 1317, the situation turned around again. Lordship over the city passed to his near relative, William III, Count of Holland.The city was developing fast. The first church - the core of today's Old Church - was build around 1300. Dikes were build along the banks of the Amstel river. And in the river itself, at the spot where the National Monument now stands, a dam was built. This became a market place. Economic growthTrade of beer and herring boasted Amsterdam's economy. In 1323 the city was awarded a monopoly on the import of beer from Hamburg. This gave the city a valuable competitive advantage. Baltic countries had traditionally dominated the herring trade. But when the fish shifted their spawning ground to the North Sea, Amsterdam saw its chance to penetrate this market. This coincided with new techniques to preserve fish, enabling the catch to be kept fresh longer. The fishermen could now get bigger catches to the market and profits rose a lot.Political unityThe region which now forms the Netherlands was politically fragmented. The gradual move towards greater unity got underway in the 15th and 16th century. The process was pushed along by the young city. During the 15th century Amsterdam became part of the powerful and widespread Dukedom of Burgundy, under Duke Philip the Good. The duke sought to keep his lands together but ran up against opposition in Holland and from Countess Jacoba of Bavaria who feared Burgundian encirclement. Sides were chosen and the sets of supporters - calling themselves the "codfish" and the "hooks" - battled it out. Amsterdam backed Duke Philip and his successors.
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