Lesson 1: Amsterdam: Centre of world trade

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 2

Remember?

Renaissance 1400-1600

European expansion 1500-1600

Golden Age: start 1600

1568-1648 80-year war against Spain

Learning objectives

1)  I can explain why the period between 1588 and 1672 is called the Golden Age.

2) I can explain how merchants and craftsmen in the Republic made their money.

3) I can explain which consequence the Fall of Antwerp had for the Amsterdam staple market.

4) I can explain what merchant capitalism (or commercial capitalism) is.

5) I can explain why in the 17th century many people moved to the cities in Holland and Zeeland.

I know the terms and dates from this section.

Amsterdam: centre of world trade

Golden Age = 
The period of prosperity and the flourishing of art and science in the Republic between 1588 and 1672.

• Increase of trade and industry in the Republic Moedernegotie trade (Oostzeehandel) , trade with Asia, Africa and America).
  
• Flourishing art scene with its own style of painting.
  
• Scientific Revolution.

Amsterdam: centre of world trade

• In the 17th century, Amsterdam was the most important staple market in Europe.
  
• Purchased products were first stored in warehouses and only sold when prices were high enough.
  
• Before 1585, merchants mainly traded in raw materials such as wood and grain.
  
• After the Fall of Antwerp, there was also trade in luxury products such as furs, expensive cloths and spices.

Amsterdam: centre of world trade

• Due to increasing trade, industry also grew.
  

• Craftsmen from Antwerp moved their companies to Amsterdam (cloth industry). They made luxury products.
  

• Craftsmen earned money with, for example, shipbuilding or making beautiful fabrics from wool (cloth).

Amsterdam: centre of world trade

• Merchant or commercial capitalism = A way of making money in which merchants try to make as much profit as possible through trade.
  

• Merchants bought raw materials from distant lands, let workers turn them into products and then sold the products at a profit.

• Profit (capital) was invested in new ships, products or exploring new shipping routes.

Amsterdam: centre of world trade

Population growth > two causes.

1. High demand for labor and high wages. People from the east of the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia went to Holland and Zeeland to work. 
2. Refugees. People who were persecuted in their own country for their faith. In the Republic there was tolerance (Jews and Protestants).
   

The movement of large groups of people to another area is called migration

Learning objectives

1)  I can explain why the period between 1588 and 1672 is called the Golden Age.

2) I can explain how merchants and craftsmen in the Republic made their money.

3) I can explain which consequence the Fall of Antwerp had for the Amsterdam staple market.

4) I can explain what merchant capitalism (or commercial capitalism) is.

5) I can explain why in the 17th century many people moved to the cities in Holland and Zeeland.

I know the terms and dates from this section.