1. The Dutch Republic 1581-1713

2. Jan Vermeer View of Delft c. 1660-1

3. Jan Vermeer Street in Delft c. 1657-8

4. Netherlands Map

5. Dutch Independence 1581: Virtual independence from Philip II of Spain; full recognition of independence in 1640s Northern portion of “The Low Countries” became Dutch Republic Southern portion became “Spanish Netherlands” and then finally Belgium Republic consisted of 7 states, previously had separate HRE principalities

6. Dutch Republic Government Wide individual freedoms and toleration Estates General composed of “High Mightinesses”, who could only act as the provincial estates allowed Provinces remained jealous of their own independence from one another Each province elected a stadholder Seven provinces tended to elect the same man, so pragmatic unification occurred

7. Jan Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring c. 1664-5

8. Dutch Tolerance Large Calvinist majority Dutch Calvinists split into traditional Calvinists and less- severe Arminians Arminians persecuted until 1632, then tolerated Jews were welcomed, and played strong role in economy Mennonites and other sects persecuted elsewhere were welcomed Economic success and social stability were valued: so toleration was prized Ephraim Bonus, Jewish Physician by Rembrandt

9. Rembrandt, The Jewish Bride 1666

10. Rembrandt, Mennonite Minister, 1641

11. Dutch Banking European money was in disarray: inconsistent metal weights & alloys 1609: Founded Bank of Amsterdam BoA was one of few central banks in Europe BoA accepted all deposits, credited depositors with official gold florins, according to exchange rates based on coins’ purity and weight BoA allowed depositors to write checks against balances BoA caused Amsterdam to become Europe’s financial capital Rembrandt commemorative 5 Euro Coin

12. Dutch Shipping and Commerce 1600: Dutch owned 10,000 ships Owned most of shipping trade in northern Europe throughout 1600s Carried trade between Spain, France, England, and Baltic Most shipping along French coast was Dutch Traded with China, Africa (Cape Hoorn), East India, Batavia, Japan, Americas, and Caribbean 1651: English Navigation Acts outlawed third-parties from shipping English goods (e.g., the Dutch)

13. Dutch Tulip Craze Late 1500s: Tulip introduced to Holland, and grown commercially Economic bubble of 1636-37 allegedly took place 1635: 40 tulip bulbs sold for 100,000 florins (enough florins to buy about 3,000 pigs) 1636: tulips bulbs sold on stock exchange; bulb options also sold 1637: bubble burst and prices crashed Apparently, tulip mania did occur; its causes and intensity are debated

14. Jan Vermeer The Geographer c. 1668-9

15. Rembrandt, The Syndics of the Clothmaker's Guild 1662

16. Dutch Commerce and War 1500s: Dutch allied with England against Spain; supported by Elizabeth in rebellion 1651 Navigation Acts: led to 3 Dutch-English wars over trade 1667: Dutch and English allied against Louis XIV 1673: Stadholder made hereditary, but office weak by most standards 1689: William of Orange became William II of England 1713: Treaty of Utrecth ended threat from France until Napoleon

17. Rembrandt, The Nightwatch 1642