After the Golden Age and Beyond

The Golden Age was not destined to last, however. 1672 was a disastrous year for the Dutch as the French attacked by land and the English attacked by sea. The ensuing wars drained the economy and weakened the residents’ spirits. The 18^th century saw the rich getting richer, living under the influence of the French and their excesses, while the poor only got poorer. The industrial revolution of the 19^th century allowed Amsterdam to prosper once more, and its population doubled in the years from 1850 to 1900, creating new challenges for the city.

 

The Netherlands remained neutral during World War I, but still suffered from major food shortages, leading to riots and violence. German troops occupied the city during World War II, and thousands of Jews were deported by Hitler’s regime. Of the 60,000 Jews in Amsterdam at the time of the war, only 6,000 escaped the Nazi death camps. Perhaps the most famous victim was Anne Frank, known today by the diary she penned when her family went into hiding in an Amsterdam canal house. Her final entry is dated August 1, 1944; after that time her family was exiled to the concentration camps. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, managed to survive and was responsible for Anne’s diary being published and ultimately shared with the world. The city’s ordeal ended when German troops in Amsterdam surrendered on May 5, 1945.

 

After the war Amsterdam began to thrive once more, and it has now cemented its place as a desirable tourist destination. The city aims to project much of the glory of the Golden Age, and the tree-lined canals, gabled houses, and quaint bridges accomplish that in spades. Amsterdam offers her guests much in terms of history and art, as well as the occasional bawdy carousing associated with the famed Red Light District. It is a diverse and interesting city, with plenty to see and do.