After France annexed Holland, Amsterdam received the status of third capital of the Empire. By that time, the city had lost all of its economic and political power, and its status as a pseudo-polis belonged to the past. The French reformed the old government and transformed The Netherlands into a uniform state.

The House of Orange returned to the political scene in 1813. The Netherlands turned into a kingdom. King William I of Orange moved the Dutch Trading Company to Amsterdam to help the city recuperate from the recession. This move proved successful, and the company took control of trade with all Dutch colonies, making the city a commercial centre once again. A channel was built to connect the city and the North Sea, enabling large sea vessels to have easy access to Amsterdam. Another channel connecting Amsterdam to the Rhine was opened, making the city a major transit port. Finally, the Central Railway Station was completed in 1889. All these improvements and developments facilitated population growth – the city’s population increased from around 180,000 in 1810 to approximately 520,000 by 1900.

Over the course of the Industrial Revolution, which began to influence the city in 1870, many people migrated from the countryside to seek prosperity. The city once again faced the need for expansion, and several construction projects were implemented.

Amsterdam’s economy flourished up until the 1920s. During that decade and the following one, the city suffered from the global economic recession. There were efforts to build more houses to accommodate the fast-growing population, but they came to nothing in light of the outbreak of World War II.