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The Dutch Republic. 1581-1713. Jan Vermeer View of Delft c. 1660-1. Jan Vermeer Street in Delft c. 1657-8. Netherlands Map. Dutch Independence. 1581: Virtual independence from Philip II of Spain; full recognition of independence in 1640s
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The Dutch Republic 1581-1713
Jan VermeerView of Delft c. 1660-1
Jan VermeerStreet in Delft c. 1657-8
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
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
Jan VermeerGirl with a Pearl Earring c. 1664-5
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
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
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)
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
Jan VermeerThe Geographer c. 1668-9
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