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Assembly of the Dutch States General: A Glimpse into Early Modern Republics

Explore the overlooked realm of early modern European republicanism, from Greek polis to German Imperial Free Cities, and the distinctive strands of political thought that shaped the Dutch Republic and other urban federations. Revolutionary figures and constitutional symbols illuminate the evolution of civic governance in this vibrant historical tapestry.

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Assembly of the Dutch States General: A Glimpse into Early Modern Republics

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  1. Dirk van Delen, ‘Assembly of the Dutch States General’ (1651) Republics

  2. PROLOGUEA previously neglected featureof the political landscapeof early modern EuropeTerminology

  3. 1. Historical overview Antiquity: Greek polis High Middle Ages: Italian comune movement (city states with consuls, popolo, contado, podestà) Late Middle Ages: German Imperial Free Cities Early modern period: Urban (&rural) federations ‘Special cases’: Mixed and temporary republics Orators’ Platform (Athens, c. 500 BC, top); Palazzo del popolo (Florence, 13thC).

  4. Oath-swearing at a communal assembly St Peter’s chapel in the Swiss City of Lucerne(from Diebold Schilling’s illustrated chronicle of 1513)

  5. Imperial Free City of Nuremberg (Nuremberg Chronicle, 1494) Constitutional and religious symbols

  6. Imperial Free Cities in the Holy Roman Empire: Augsburg From S. Münster, Cosmographia, 1550 Centres of civic interaction Dance Hall Hospital Town Hall & Market Almshouses

  7. 2. Strands of Political Thought Antiquity: Monarchy, aristocracy, democracy(Aristotle) Renaissance: Principalities and republics(Machiavelli) Niccolò Machiavelli (d. 1527) by Cristofanodell’Altissimo

  8. 2. Strands of Political Thought Early modern periodDivine-right ‘absolutism’ vs resistance theories(Bodin/Hobbes vs Monarchomachs) Models and defences of republican government (Harrington and De la Court brothers)Enlightenment ‘general will’, separation of powers(Rousseau) Pieter de la Court (d. 1685) by Gottfried Schalcken Rousseau (d. 1778) by Maurice Quentin de la Tour

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  10. 3. The Dutch Republic A brief sketch of its … … Topography and Economy … Religion ... Politics ... Governance ... Culture Janssonius Map (1658) Dalen, ‘States General’ (1651)

  11. Jan Steen, ‘Celebrating a Birth’ (1664)

  12. De la Court, The Interest of Holland (1662) I find my self obliged more fully to consider and promote the welfare of the subjects in Holland above that of the rulers; because in this free commonwealth government, it is evident that the durable and certain prosperity of the rulers does generally depend on the welfare of the subjects … It is [also] convenient to premise that Holland … consisted of many republicks; which in process of time chose a head or governor over them by the name of Earl or Stadtholder; … [H]e had of old no armed men or soldiery of his own as dukes had, but was to be content with his own revenues, and to rule the land, or rather administer justice to each country according to their particular customs, and laws ... And tho’ in process of time they were jointly brought to a sovereign republic, yet is it also true that the members of this Dutch republic are of different natures and manners.

  13. The Early Modern Swiss Confederation cantons, associates, condominiums Zwinglian cities Catholic / rural Forest Cantons

  14. Cantonal Level: Government by Assembly and Council Disputation at Zurich 1523 From a copy of Bullinger’sHistory of the Reformation, c. 1600

  15. Federal Level: Co-ordination at the Diet18thC Drawing

  16. Venice (La Serenissima) Canaletto, ‘Piazetta San Marco’ with clocktower, domes of San Marco Cathedral and Ducal Palace (c. 1750; Louvre / Paris)

  17. ‘It seems to me that the smallest He that is in this kingdom hath a right as the greatest He.’ Col. Thomas Rainsborough, representing the Levellers, at the Putney debates in 1649. Gold coin minted during the English Commonwealth (‘God with us’).

  18. 4. Historiographical Perspectives Intellectual tradition stretching from Antiquity via Renaissance to Atlantic Revolutions JGA Pocock Constitutional affinities between communal self-government and democracy Peter Blickle ‘Real Political’ boost for republican self-consciousness after Peace of Westphalia, triggered by need to claim / display sovereignty in European state system Thomas Maissen

  19. Republican symbolism and civic virtues Joseph Werner, ‘Allegory of the Republic of Bern’ (1682) The (classical) armed figure of freedom between personifications of abundance, faith, fortitude, service and learning

  20. BAG, Landbuch 6 von 1605, S. 13, 15 Familienwappen im 4. Ratserkenntnisbuch von 1742: Bezirksarchiv. Iconographic shiftsin the crests of the rural micro-republic of Gersau on Lake Lucerne: 1605 (left) vs 1784 (right)

  21. Coat of Arms of the Republic of Venice Conclusions • Long historic tradition • Viable alternative to monarchy • Relatively diverse and tolerant societies • Indirect precedents for modern democracy

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