Dutch Revolt

I. Historical Background As towns, “cities” like Amsterdam and Antwerp enjoyed historic liberties (recall the Magna Carta). As towns, “cities” like Amsterdam and Antwerp enjoyed historic liberties (recall the Magna Carta). The common bond of all seventeen provinces was simply that beginning with the dukes of Burgundy they had the same ruler. Occasionally the people of the Low Countries were asked to send delegates to an estates general. The common bond of all seventeen provinces was simply that beginning with the dukes of Burgundy they had the same ruler. Occasionally the people of the Low Countries were asked to send delegates to an estates general.

II. Charles V The Hapsburgs as the dukes of Burgundy (among many other titles) laid claim to the Low Countries. The Hapsburgs as the dukes of Burgundy (among many other titles) laid claim to the Low Countries. Charles V, as a native of the Netherlands, understood the tedious nature of the status-quo. Charles V, as a native of the Netherlands, understood the tedious nature of the status-quo. In the mid-sixteenth century neither a Dutch nor Belgian nationality existed. Hapsburg rule would change this. In the mid-sixteenth century neither a Dutch nor Belgian nationality existed. Hapsburg rule would change this.

III. The Division of the Empire “Discuss/review the significance of the Fracken painting and the G.R. Elton article.” “Discuss/review the significance of the Fracken painting and the G.R. Elton article.” The history of Spain involved a great crusade. Philip II will carry on this crusade, with zeal unmatched, against all heretics in Europe – the Low Countries were no exception. The history of Spain involved a great crusade. Philip II will carry on this crusade, with zeal unmatched, against all heretics in Europe – the Low Countries were no exception.

IV. Background: Economics, Politics, and Religion Cities like Antwerp and Amsterdam were fast becoming the most significant financial centers in Europe. Cities like Antwerp and Amsterdam were fast becoming the most significant financial centers in Europe. As a crossroads Protestant ideas took root very early. Calvin’s emphasis on work done well was appealing the merchants and commercial fisherman who made Amsterdam what it was. As a crossroads Protestant ideas took root very early. Calvin’s emphasis on work done well was appealing the merchants and commercial fisherman who made Amsterdam what it was. Overall politically – at one point over half of the French nobility had converted to Calvinism, many northern German princes were Lutheran (peace of Augsburg 1555), and the heretic queen ruled in England. It seemed that the forces of Protestantism were poised for victory. Overall politically – at one point over half of the French nobility had converted to Calvinism, many northern German princes were Lutheran (peace of Augsburg 1555), and the heretic queen ruled in England. It seemed that the forces of Protestantism were poised for victory. Calvinism in the 1570s tended to encourage opposition to “illegal” civil authority. Calvinism in the 1570s tended to encourage opposition to “illegal” civil authority.

France is pre-occupied with religious and civil war after the death of Francois I. France however, will play a part in the Dutch Revolt.

V. Philip II With France in turmoil, the balance of power had tilted in favor of “universal monarchy.” With France in turmoil, the balance of power had tilted in favor of “universal monarchy.” In 1566 a league of Protestant and Catholic lords petitioned Phillip II not to bring the Spanish Inquisition to the Netherlands due to an increased Spanish presence. In 1566 a league of Protestant and Catholic lords petitioned Phillip II not to bring the Spanish Inquisition to the Netherlands due to an increased Spanish presence. When Philip’s agents reject this petition a mass revolt broke out. When Philip’s agents reject this petition a mass revolt broke out.

The Milch Cow Elizabeth feeds the Low Countries hay, King Philip rides and beats the Low Countries, William of Orange milks it, and the French pull its tail. Elizabeth feeds the Low Countries hay, King Philip rides and beats the Low Countries, William of Orange milks it, and the French pull its tail.

Constitutional Monarchy under the Dukes Orange