Golden Ages in the Low Countries

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Gouden Eeuwen in de Lage Landen

• Kunst & Cultuur (Art & Culture)
• Handel & Nijverheid (Trade & Industry)
• Politiek & Bestuur (Politics & Government)
• Wetenschap & Onderwijs (Science & Education)
• Filosofie & Godsdienst (Philosophy & Religion)
• Verkenning & Ontdekking (Exploration & Discovery)

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• Golden Ages - Amsterdam
• Golden Ages - Antwerpen
• Golden Ages - Brugge
• Golden Ages - Brussel
• Golden Ages - Delft
• Golden Ages - Den Haag
• Golden Ages - Haarlem
• Golden Ages - Leiden
• Golden Ages - Utrecht

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Background

Brugge, Antwerpen and Amsterdam were the trading, financial and cultural 'capitals' of northern Europe during three consecutive 'golden ages'. These three 'capitals' were gateways for merchants and migrants from across Europe. Each of them had flourishing 'peripheral' centers of power and culture (Gent, Brussel, Leiden, Haarlem...). During the shifts between these consecutive 'golden ages', various political, religious and economic factors caused significant migration flows.

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Timeline

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1134-1482: Brugge

• Rise: 1134 (storm surge) - Decline: 1482 (death of Marie de Bourgogne).
• Projects: Golden Ages - Brugge. Peripheral: Gent, Kortrijk...

1484-1648: Antwerp

• Rise: 1484 (Maximilian I von Habsburg) - Decline: 1585 (fall of Antwerp).
• Projects: Golden Ages - Antwerpen. Peripheral: Brussels, Mechelen, Bergen op Zoom...

1568-1648: Migration Flow

• Start: 1568 (Eighty Years' War) - End: 1648 (Treaty of Münster)
• Projects: Golden Ages - Migrations: 1568-1648 (Dutch Revolt)

1585-1672: Amsterdam

• Rise: 1585 (fall of Antwerp) - Decline: 1672 ('rampjaar' ('disaster year')).
• Projects: Golden Ages - Amsterdam. Peripheral: Leiden, Haarlem, Den Haag, Utrecht...

1619-1798: Migration Flow

• Start: 1519 (settlement of Batavia) - End: 1798 (end of the VOC)
• Projects: Golden Ages - Migrations: 1619-1798 (Dutch Colonialism), New Amsterdam (1609-1674)