1

Spain ruled from 1516 when Charles V became HRESpain ruled from 1516 when Charles V became HREThe United Provinces still recognized Spanish rule, The United Provinces still recognized Spanish rule,

but, in 1581, they declared their independence.but, in 1581, they declared their independence.

REGENTS- Provincial level

- Held virtually all the power

- Strong advocates of local independence

STADHOLDER-Chief officials

-Dominated by the princes of the House of Orange

-Could not declare war, just legislate

STATES GENERAL- Federal legislative body of delegates from 7 provinces

- Nobles received automatic representation

2

•Government was republican confederation

•Run by wealthy merchants & financiers

•Strong middle class values

•Union of provinces

Amsterdam was the world’s leading port Amsterdam was the world’s leading port

& commercial center& commercial center

15,000 vessels 15,000 vessels –– 5x the English fleet5x the English fleet

Spices, pepper, silks, & cottons were Spices, pepper, silks, & cottons were

imported from the East Indies while imported from the East Indies while

participating in the triangular trade participating in the triangular trade

with Africa & Brazilwith Africa & Brazil

Amsterdam’s banking, credit & Amsterdam’s banking, credit &

warehousing facilities were unmatchedwarehousing facilities were unmatched

Not much inflation.Not much inflation.

•• 1602 1602 –– A group of private investor began A group of private investor began the Dutch East India Companythe Dutch East India Company

•• Dutch Dutch East India Company East India Company –– government government monopoly for all trade in Asiamonopoly for all trade in Asia–– Empowered to make war/treaties, seize Empowered to make war/treaties, seize foreign ships, establish colonies & coin foreign ships, establish colonies & coin money!money!

•• When the spice trade declined, they relied When the spice trade declined, they relied on fees charged for transporting products on fees charged for transporting products from one Asian place to another. They from one Asian place to another. They also bought Asian products and sold them also bought Asian products and sold them within the system. within the system.

•• Rival: The English Rival: The English

Jewish refugees helped found it in 1602.Jewish refugees helped found it in 1602.

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Great Dutch land reclamation project Great Dutch land reclamation project

was accelerated during this time.was accelerated during this time.

Expanded agriculture production in Expanded agriculture production in

first half of the 17first half of the 17thth centurycentury

Agriculture surplus was invested in Agriculture surplus was invested in

commerce & manufacturingcommerce & manufacturing

Increased amount of food = Increased amount of food =

increased populationincreased population

Most densely populated countryMost densely populated country

Aerial View of the Northwest Polder Aerial View of the Northwest Polder

Just Before Habitation Just Before Habitation

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Generally higher salaries than in any other Generally higher salaries than in any other

parts of W. Europe.parts of W. Europe.

�� Even women had higher wages.Even women had higher wages.

Had the highest standard of living in Had the highest standard of living in

Europe!Europe!

Real wages roseReal wages rose

More varied diet More varied diet –– more meat, cheese & fish more meat, cheese & fish

than elsewhere in Europethan elsewhere in Europe

Coffee, tea, cocoa, ginger & spices?Coffee, tea, cocoa, ginger & spices?

Haven of religious tolerationHaven of religious toleration

60,000 Huguenots fled to Dutch Republic to 60,000 Huguenots fled to Dutch Republic to

escape persecution in Franceescape persecution in France

The Dutch Reformed Church was a The Dutch Reformed Church was a

Calvinist religionCalvinist religion

First built in 1300.First built in 1300.

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By 1645, it was the By 1645, it was the

largest university in the largest university in the

Protestant world.Protestant world.

The separation of the The separation of the

strong provinces strong provinces

hindered the power of hindered the power of

any church to control any church to control

intellectual life in the intellectual life in the

Dutch Republic!Dutch Republic!

Along with Leiden, Along with Leiden,

they were the first they were the first

international international

universities.universities.

Half of the students Half of the students

were foreigners.were foreigners.

1717thth century painting reflected wealthcentury painting reflected wealth

Dutch press enjoyed freedomDutch press enjoyed freedom

First newspapers printed in Amsterdam First newspapers printed in Amsterdam

–– NOT London or ParisNOT London or Paris

Dutch painting relied on patronage of Dutch painting relied on patronage of

wealthy Amsterdam merchantswealthy Amsterdam merchants

Picturesque urban & rural scenesPicturesque urban & rural scenes

RembrandtRembrandt

Everyday lifeEveryday life

Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan Vermeer, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan Vermeer, FransFrans

Hals, Jan SteenHals, Jan Steen

6

“Genre” Painting“Genre” Painting “Genre” Painting“Genre” Painting

7

Wars with England in defense of its Wars with England in defense of its

commercial interests drained the economycommercial interests drained the economy

1667 1667 –– Louis XIV imposed high tariffs on Louis XIV imposed high tariffs on

Dutch imports to FranceDutch imports to France

1672 1672 –– Louis XIV invaded the Dutch Louis XIV invaded the Dutch

RepublicRepublic

The textile industry failed to keep pace with The textile industry failed to keep pace with

EnglandEngland

Some Dutch entrepreneurs chose to invest Some Dutch entrepreneurs chose to invest

in England rather than the in England rather than the Dutch RepublicDutch Republic