the Baltic was stocked in warehouses and so the city became the grain canary for the northern parts of the Netherlands. In the 16th century the a battle between the King of Spain; Alva and the rebellious Dutch caused

The weapon of Amsterdam. The three 'Andreas'-crosses were named after apostel Andreas.

economic development to be low. The city was occupied in 1567 by Alva and between 1572 and 1578 under siege by the rebellions. The regents were mostly on the Spanish ‘side’ but eventually they were forced to join the Nassau (Willem van Nassau; Prince van Oranje) followers. Finally in 1578 the pro-Alva regents were replaced, the southern parts of the Netherlands were still occupied by the Spanish, the city and especially

the harbor of Antwerp became occupied in 1585. Refugees like traders from Antwerp, established in Amsterdam, causing economic growth at the end of 16th and beginning of 17th century. The main trading took place between the Baltic, Russia, Italy, financial institutes were founded which in short period fulfilled an important role in the international community. The Golden century, until 1648 a continuous economic growth took place and the ‘eighty-years’ war against the Spanish ended by the peace agreement of Munster. The Republic of the Netherlands was officially recognized by the Spanish. Through the 17th and 18th century the Dutch established several established several trading posts around the world; North America, Indonesia, Brazil and Africa and an impressive empire, made Amster-dam to be the most important Port of the world and an international center for banking with the Dutch Guilder as leading currency. After four sea-battles against the English (the 4th in 1780-1784), the blockage of the city by the British naval forces and the occupation by the French, the city lost its status of leading port and financial center. During the French occupation