AMSTERDAM HAS A LONG HISTORY OF FREEDOM. WHAT WERE THE ROOTS OF THAT FREEDOM? IN THE 16TH CENTURY, WILLIAM OF ORANGE, LEADER OF THE DUTCH REVOLT AGAINST SPAIN, PROTESTED: “I CANNOT CONDONE THAT RULERS DESIRE TO RULE THE CONSCIENCE OF THEIR SUBJECTS, REMOVING THEIR FREEDOM OF FAITH…” (1564)
The Union of Utrecht, The Dutch Republic’s ‘constitution’ of 1591 stated: ’Each person shall remain free, especially in his religion…’
After an intensive debate concerning tolerance and conformity, eventually the idea prevailed that religious freedom and freedom of thought would strengthen, not weaken, the state. This religious freedom made the Dutch Republic unique, the most progressive and diverse culture of its time.
This freedom attracted many refugees and migrants, exploding Amsterdam’s population. Jews flocked from Iberia, Germanic lands and Central Europe. Many Protestants and Jews fled to Amsterdam after Antwerp fell to Spain in 1585. Up to 100,000 French Huguenot refugees fled to Holland. One in four Amsterdammers was Huguenot. English dissenters came to Amsterdam including the first Baptists and the Pilgrim Fathers.
Amsterdam attracted traders from Armenia, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Russia and the Baltics. These newcomers often dressed flamboyantly, spoke foreign languages, and practiced different religions.
‘Amsterdam reaps the benefits of freedom. (Here) people from all nations and with all possible beliefs live together harmoniously.’ Spinoza (1670)
Descartes lived in the Dutch Republic from 1628 to 1649: ‘In what other country could find you such complete freedom, or find armies at the ready to protect you, or find fewer poisonings, or acts of treason or slander?’
Yet freedom had its dark side. While all could worship free from persecution and violence, Catholics, Lutherans and Mennonites were forced to do so in ‘hidden churches’, schuilkerken. Still, this freedom was revolutionary in the 17th century. Prostitution was tolerated to protect female citizens. While extolling ‘freedom’, Amsterdam engaged in slavery for over 250 years, which produced two-thirds of Amsterdam’s income.
Amsterdam’s freedom was rooted in the religious freedom embraced by the fathers of the Dutch republic. But who influenced the Prince of Orange?
For the ‘Year of Erasmus’ exhibition in Gouda, a special film was made depicting a passionate speech held by William of Orange to the State Council on New Year’s Eve, 1564. The speech was so shocking that the secretary had a heart attack on his way home. The prince spoke for an hour and laid the basis for freedom of religion and expression in the Republic. William of Orange revealed the influence on his thinking of the Dutch scholar Erasmus, quoting him directly: ‘In a free state, tongues too should be free.’
Note here the spiritual content of the Dutch national anthem, showing the Biblical context of the prince’s thinking:
Wilhelmus van Nassouwe/ben ik,van Duitsen bloed,/den vaderland getrouwe /blijf ik tot in den dood./ Een Prinse van Oranje/ben ik, vrij, onverveerd,/den Koning van Hispanje/heb ik altijd geëerd.
In Godes vrees te leven/heb ik altijd betracht,/ daarom ben ik verdreven, /om land, om luid gebracht./ Maar God zal mij regeren /als een goed instrument,/dat ik zal wederkeren/in mijnen regiment.
Lijdt u, mijn onderzaten/die oprecht zijt van aard,/ God zal u niet verlaten,/al zijt gij nu bezwaard. /Die vroom begeert te leven,/ bidt God nacht ende dag, /dat Hij mij kracht zal geven, /dat ik u helpen mag.
William of Nassau, scion of a German and ancient line, I dedicate undying faith to this land of mine. A prince am I undaunted,of Orange, ever free, To the king of Spain I’ve granted a lifelong loyalty.
I’ve ever tried to live in the fear of God’s command And therefore I’ve been driven from people, home, and land, But God, I trust, will rate me His willing instrument And one day reinstate me into my government.
Let no despair betray you, my subjects true and good The Lord will surely stay you though now you are pursued. He who would live devoutly must pray God day and night To throw His power about me as champion of your right.