Dutch Revolt (1568-1648)
How the Netherlands gained Independence
What was the Dutch Revolt?
The Dutch Revolt, also known as the Eighty Years’ War, was a war of the Spanish-owned provinces in the Netherlands against their rulers, the Spanish Empire, from 1568 to 1648. The Dutch revolted against Spanish King Philip II due to religion and the actions of the nobility; mass discontent arose due to his harsh suppression of Calvinists in favor of his native Catholicism, and a fighting force arose as the nobility of the Low Countries (the "Beggars") united to fund action against Spanish rule.
King Philip II was initially successful in suppressing the rebellion, however, after the capture of the key port city of Brill, the rebels regained strength. Despite some Spanish land victories, Dutch rebels achieved naval supremacy. The northern Low Countries then formed what would become the independent Netherlands through the signing of the Union of Utrecht. However, the fighting was costly for both sides, and the Twelve Year's Truce was signed at Antwerp.
This benefited the newfound Dutch republic far more than the Spanish Empire, which found itself drawn into the much larger 30 Year's War. After fighting resumed, the Spanish found themselves outmatched, and sued for the humiliating Peace of Munster (1648). Ultimately, this revolt established the Dutch as a leading European power and greatly diminished the power of the Spanish.
What caused the Dutch Revolt?
The root cause was fundamental religious differences between the Calvinist Low Countries and the devoutly Catholic Spanish.
The direct cause of the revolt was the religious persecution of the Calvinists and the reorganization of the Catholic Church in the Low Countries under King Philip II, which led to mass local discontent.
Course (Timeline)
April 1566 - Almost 400 local nobles, later known as the Beggars, assemble to petition King Philip's regent, Margaret of Parma, to change the laws against Calvinism.
August 1566 - Soon the situation spirals out of control, many Catholic churches are desecrated
1567 - Margaret's troops defeat much of the rebel army, Dutch cause seems lost
1572 - Key rebel victory in Brill, leads to the capture of many other important cities, fresh wind for the rebel cause
1576 - After being unpaid for years, Spanish troops revolt and sack much of the Low Countries, Treaty of Ghent is signed, temporarily uniting the Low Countries against the common enemy
1579 - Union of Utrecht is signed, uniting the northern Low Countries, Union of Arras is signed, with the southern Low Countries pledging support for Spain
1584 - Key Dutch leader William of Orange is assassinated by royalist sympathizer
1598 - King Philip II dies
1609 - Exhausted by years of constant warfare, both sides agree to sign the Twelve Year's Truce in Antwerp
1621 - Twelve Year's Truce ended, with the Dutch becoming much more powerful than the Spanish, and the warfare being dragged into the much larger Thirty Year's War
1648 - The Peace of Munster, part of the larger Peace of Westphalia is signed, ending the war
Key Figures
King Philip II (1556-1598) - Headed the Spanish forces, repressed Calvinism in the Spanish Netherlands
Margaret of Parma (1522-1586) - De jure appointed leader of the Spanish Netherlands, King Phillip II's half sister
Maurice of Nassau (1585-1625) - Son of William of Orange, took charge of the rebellion after his father's death, pioneered new forms of military organization and technology
Outcome
Main Significance
The Dutch revolt changed the political structure in Europe for centuries to come. The new Dutch Republic emerged from the conflict as a dynamic, leading power of Europe, while Spain lost its status as hegemon, and the Southern Low Countries (Belgium) saw a decline in power and cultural significance. Additionally, the world's first modern republic was established in the Netherlands, beginning the challenging of the divine right of kings.
Primary Source Document
This treaty included the Peace of Munster, which ended hostilities between Spain and the Dutch Republic. It was also the conclusion of the Thirty Year's War and in a larger sense the European Wars of Religion. It laid the foundations for the modern international system, with the concept of nonintervention and sovereign states spreading as the nations of Europe began to dominate the world.