# The Alteration of Amsterdam (26 May 1578)

URL: https://allhistories.com/netherlands/timeline/1578-the-alteration-of-amsterdam
Themes: main-event

Amsterdam had remained loyal to the king and Catholic. On 26 May 1578 a bloodless coup, the Alteratie, replaced the Catholic city council with Protestants, and the Catholic magistrates and clergy were escorted out of the city by boat. Amsterdam joined the revolt, and Catholic worship was banned. Freed from Spanish rule and soon receiving refugees from the south, the city was on the verge of its spectacular rise. The Alteration brought Amsterdam into the revolt and began its transformation into the capital of world trade.

## Why it matters
The Alteration brought Amsterdam into the revolt and began its transformation into the capital of world trade.

Who Was in Power: [William the Silent](https://allhistories.com/netherlands/rulers/william-the-silent)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Alteration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alteration)
- [Wikipedia — History of Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Amsterdam)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Low Countries: the revolt and the formation of the Republic (1567–79)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-the-Low-Countries-prehistoric-times-to-1579-2157575/The-revolt-and-the-formation-of-the-Republic-1567-79)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — The Alteration of Amsterdam](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=The+Alteration+of+Amsterdam)
- [Wikipedia — Eighty Years' War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighty_Years'_War)
- [Wikipedia — History of the Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Netherlands)