Dutch Revolt
1568-1648
Summary/Cause
Summary: The Dutch revolt also known as the eighty years war was a war that was fought in the Netherlands. Spain decided to elect a new governor named Fernando Alvarez de Toledo he was a harsh and powerful ruler who ordered the execution of around 3,000 rebels. This war was fought between the Spanish and the Dutch over the territory of the Dutch. King Philip wanted to spread catholicism throughout his empire. The war came to an end when King Philip created an armada of 20,000 men to defeat his enemies. This wasn’t successful because more wars began to break out in Spanish territory. Which lead to the Spanish not really having much interest in Dutch territory. This constant fighting till around the year of 1648 ended with a victory for the Dutch.
The netherlands were a key part of king Philip's kingdom in the ways that they contributed a lot to the crown’s finances. Tension in the Netherland’s grew due to religious matters. Philip was a devout catholic who did not like when the religion of Calvinism began to spread their ideas into the netherlands.
Timeline
1572-1574: Duke of Alva brought his Spanish army to the Low Countries to teach the people a lesson
1576: William of Orange successfully united various provinces in the struggle against Spain, but it didn't last long
1580: William of Orange was declared an outlaw
1584: William of Orange was assassinated
1598-1600: Battle of Nieuwpoort
1600-1607: Spanish Oppression
1607-1609: Major naval battles
1621: Twelve year truce ended
1625-1645: War resumed
1648: Treaty was signed
Roman Catholic King Philip II of Spain
Revolt started because Philip wanted to suppress Protestantism in the Netherlands; sent an army to the Netherlands after Protestants burned down Catholic Churches.
William of Orange
Leader of the Dutch Revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs. He was originally a member of the court of Margaret of Parma but was unhappy about the Spanish persecution of Dutch Protestants, so he joined the uprising. In 1580, he was declared an outlaw by the Spanish King and was assassinated in 1584.
Main Points
Outcome
On January 30, 1648, Spanish and Dutch representatives signed a peace treaty in the town of Munster. The treaty recognized the Dutch Republic as a sovereign state.
Main Significance
Dutch protestants were executed by Catholic Spain. Spain never recognized the dutch's independence until the end of the 30 years war. The independence lead to the rapid growth of the Dutch empire. Dutch had trading posts around the world. The dutch grew very wealthy in a few short years and began to overshadow many European countries.