Crisis

The years 1929-1940 are usually referred to as 'the great depression': a long period of contraction in the economy and high unemployment. The crisis began in October 1929 in the United States after the 'stock market crash ' and soon got the whole world in its grip. In Amsterdam the global economic crisis came unexpected and many people were unemployed. Families with a lot of children became poor and ended below the subsistence level. The number of unemployed in the Netherlands amounted to approximately 150,000 in 1930 and became in 1935 almost 600,000. The number of unemployed remained in the war over 350,000. It was the first time that unemployment had reached such a magnitude in the Netherlands and took such a long time. One of each four Dutch workers were unemployed for more than a year.

It is not surprising that the workers in the densely populated Amsterdam neighborhoods erupted. When in July 1934 the reduction of benefits became known, the pamphlets called on workers to take to the streets to protest. In the Jordaan district, the Westermarkt and the Brouwersgracht, gathered groups of unemployed men with women and children. Who started pavers, roof tiles and flower pots to throw at the police. The police shot back with sharp.

In a time of crisis the Noordermarkt is more important than ever, because fewer and fewer people can afford new stuff. The 2nd hand goods runs good, noticing to the growing number of market places on the Noordermarkt and Lindengracht.

Song about the crises in the thirties. Tomorrow it's going better (Morgen gaat het beter. Willy Derby)