The Dutch Revolt
1568-1648
Summary
The Dutch Revolt, also known as the Eighty Years' War, is traditionally said to have begun in June 1568, when the Spanish executed Counts Egmont and Horne in Brussels. The tensions that led to open revolt, however, had much earlier origins. The revolt itself is best viewed as a series of related uprisings and wars that, taken together, constitute the Dutch Revolt. The eventual outcome of the revolt was decided for the most part by 1609, when the combatants agreed to the Twelve Years' Truce, but the war between the Dutch Republic and the Kingdom of Spain did not officially come to an end until both parties agreed to the Peace of Münster, which was part of the Peace of Westphalia, in 1648
Cause
The direct cause of this war was similar to the slogan, No taxation without representation. Under the Habsburgs, the Low Countries were formally named unceremoniously "De landen van herwaarts over" and in French "Les pays de par deça". Translated, the phrases mean "those lands around here" for the Dutch, and "those lands around there" for the French. While they were being taxed beyond what they were willing to pay, these far-away provinces were being continually admonished for seeing to their own business without permission from the throne, which at that time was indeed far away, in Spain. Each request for special permission would take at least four weeks for a response from Spain.This unrest over taxation without representation was amplified by a strong presence of Spanish troops brought in to oversee the order in these provinces. The date for the formal start of hostilities is often cited as the execution of the statesmen Lamoral, Count of Egmont and Philip de Montmorency, Count of Hoorn, on the main square in Brussels on June 5, 1568.
Course
There were three main battles in the Dutch Revolt. The first revolt occurred from 1566-1568 and occurred because of religious tensions and the strained leadership roles in the government between nobles and the monarchy. The second revolt occurred from 1568 to 1576 and was brought on by the invasion of William of Orange into to Spain. The third revolt occurred from 1576 to 1584. During this revolt many people of the Netherlands united against King Philip however their uprisings only caused more division throughout the country.
Key Figure and Groups
King Philip, William of Orange, the Duke of Alba, Catholic loyalists, Calvinists, Don Juan of Austria, France, England, and Germany
Outcome
The war ended with the Treaty of Munster between Spain and the Netherlands, and the Protestant Seven Provinces and the Low Countries and the Dutch were the winners.
Main Significance
The main significance of the Dutch Revolt was that a new country was formed.
Sources
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/whic/ReferenceDetailsPage/DocumentToolsPortletWindow?displayGroupName=Reference&jsid=d4d4dd5905639efc4398b55f5d47eac9&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CCX3404900325&u=catholiccenhs&zid=dde7aef087ab8337e1e415b94797aa6b
http://www.dreamdust.co.uk/work/outcome/
http://classroom.synonym.com/significance-philip-ii-spain-dutch-revolt-7926.html