1. The GOLDEN AGE of the DUTCH REPUBLIC
Ch 15: Successful & Unsuccessful Paths to Power
The GOLDEN AGE of the DUTCH REPUBLIC

2. The Netherlands: The “Low Country”

4. The Spanish Netherlands: Union of Utrecht, 1579
The United Provinces still recognized Spanish rule, but, in 1581, they declared their independence.

5. The Netherlands (1609)

6. 17th century: The “Dutch” Century
A certain level of religious toleration
Calvinism was the dominant religion
Catholics and Jews also enjoyed religious toleration but had fewer rights.
- Religious toleration enabled the Netherlands to foster a cosmopolitan society that promoted trade
Stable, thriving economy.
“Golden Age” of artists and thinkers.
- Religion and everyday life were recurring themes in their art.

7. 17th century: The “Dutch” Century
Most densely populated European country after a few Italian states
Over 50% of the population lived in cities
First “bourgeois” society?

8. 17th century: The “Dutch” Century
Most densely populated European country after a few Italian states
Over 50% of the population lived in cities
First “bourgeois” society?

9. Oude Kerk [Old Church], Amsterdam
First built in 1300

10. Interior of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam - Emmanuel De Witt

11. Interior of a Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam – Emmanuel De Witte

12. Portrait of an Old Jewish Man Rembrandt, 1654

13. Government
Government was dominated by merchants whose wealth and power limited the power of the state
Government was run by representative institutions
Consisted of an organized confederation of seven provinces, each with representative gov’t
Each province sent a representative to the Estates General
Holland and Zeeland were the two richest and most influential provinces
Each province and city was autonomous (self-governing)
Each province elected a stadholder (governor) and military leader
During times of crisis, all seven provinces would elect the same stadholder, usually from the House of Orange.

14. The Dutch Federation REGENTS STADHOLDER
- provincial level
- held virtually all the power
- strong advocates of local independence
STADHOLDER
- States General representative from each province
- responsible for defense and order
STATES GENERAL - assembly of representatives from every province

15. Dutch Society
Amsterdam, Rotterdam: granaries with enough surplus for one year (people were well fed)
Generally higher salaries than in any other parts of Western Europe.
Had the highest standard of living in Europe!

16. The Dutch Economy Fishing was the cornerstone of the Dutch economy
- Major industries included textiles, furniture, fine woolen goods, sugar refining, tobacco cutting, brewing, pottery, glass, printing, paper making, weapons manufacturing and ship building
Not much inflation.
Offered far lower interest rates than English banks; this was the major reason for its banking dominance
Masters of the “carrying trade” (lowest shipping rates in Europe).
At one point, the Dutch were responsible for about half of Europe’s shipping

17. Tulips! 

18. Tulips Mania The first bubble?
At its peak, a single tulip bulb cost the equivalent of three years’ wages for a skilled artisan

19. Dutch East India Company
Dutch East India Company and Dutch West India Company organized as cooperative ventures of private enterprise and the state
- DEIC challenged the Portuguese in East including South Africa, Sri Lanka, and parts of Indonesia.
- DWIC traded extensively with Latin American and Africa

20. 17c Dutch Global Commerce

21. Dutch East India Ship, mid-17c

22. Return of the Dutch East India Fleet, 1599

23. Amsterdam Stock Market (Bourse) Emmanuel De Witte, 1653
Jewish refugees helped found it in 1602

24. Amsterdam Exchange Bank

25. The Lace Maker Nicolaes Maes

26. The Lace Maker Jan Vermeer, 1669-1670

27. The Account Keeper Nicolaes Maes, 1656

28. Fort Orange (Albany, NY) in New Netherlands

29. New Amsterdam (NYC) Settled in 1624
Official Flag of the NYC Seal of the City of NY

30. Dutch Empire at its Height

31. The Dutch in Japan, 18c

32. Dutch Golden Age Art

33. Night Watch Rembrandt, 1642

34. Self Portrait Rembrandt, 1629

35. A Young Woman with a Water Jug Vermeer, 1662

36. Girl with a Pearl Earring Vermeer, 1665

37. Decline Lost control of Baltic trade, fishing industry declined
Trade wars with England & wars/defending itself against French invasions cost $$$
1715: Treaty of Utrecht. British mercantile power eclipses the Dutch.