17C - My religion is better than your religion: The Revolt of the Netherlands. (Lesson)

My religion is better than your religion: The Revolt of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands consisted of 17 provinces that were controlled by the Habsburgs in the 15th century.

• Northern Netherlands - primarily German languages and customs
• Southern Netherlands - primarily French and Flemish languages and culture
• Various religions coexisted including: Lutherans, Calvinists, Catholics, etc

The ONLY thing all of the provinces had in common is they were ruled by Spain (Philip II.)

Because of inflation and lack of silver and gold in the New World, at this time, the Netherlands were Spain's richest colony. Primarily for this reason33 Philip II wanted to maintain control and reestablish the Catholic faith.

1566 - League of Nobles was formed from the 17 provinces in order to "check" foreign influence. It was composed of Catholics and Protestants. They petitioned Philip not to bring the Inquisition to the Netherlands. However, Philip's agents in the Netherlands ignored the petition and began the Inquisition anyway. A revolt broke out.

The revolt was led primarily by wage-earning journeymen (seasonal workers) and the revolters were overwhelmingly anti-Spanish and anti-Catholic.

Philip II immediately put the Inquisition under the control of the Duke of Alva. The duke established the Council of Troubles to bring the Netherlands back into line. Even aristocrats found themselves under trial. Sentences included death, confiscation of property, and raising of taxes. This led to a national outcry.

William of Orange (William the Silent) led the rebellion; his property had been confiscated during the Council of Troubles. During the rebellion, he acted as sovereign, issuing letters of authorization to ship captains to begin war at sea, organized maritime war, raided and looted port towns. The Spanish responded by increasing the scope of the Inquisition. William organized the Dutch to unite (regardless of religion) to drive out the Spanish establishing the Pacification of Ghent (1576) and the Duke of Alva is recalled to Spain. Philip II then sends in the Duke of Parma who plays up the religious differences between the two halves of the nation and destroys the union.

1579 - 7 Northern provinces from Union of Utrecht

• composed primarily of Protestants
• declare their independence and name themselves United Provinces of the Netherlands
• appeal to France and England for support (both Protestant-friendly nations)
• England lends some military support

10 Southern provinces form Union of Arras

• composed primarily of Catholics
• align themselves with the Duke of Parma, Philip II, and Spain
• primarily moderates
• tired of violence

1585 - England officially enters the war. Elizabeth had previously been reluctant due to Catholic population in her country as well as problems surrounding Mary Queen of Scots in England, but by 1585, Elizabeth had become solidly anti-Spanish.

Reasons England has for entering the war:

1. Economic - protect the wool trade
2. Religious - supported Protestants
3. Political - Spain was plotting to use Netherlands as a base from which to overthrow England

Spain planned to invade England for 2 main reasons:

1. Philip II's hatred of Elizabeth's "meddling"
2. to return England to Catholicism (the Beheading of Mary Queen of Scots gave Philip and the Pope an excuse to attempt to take over England)

Philip II planned to invade England by sailing to the Netherlands where he would join Duke of Parma's forces and go across the channel to invade England.

• they were met in the Channel by a British fleet
• 1588 the Spanish Armada was defeated

Philip had sent his fleet in before they were ready in an effort to push forward the attack. Unfortunately, it meant his ships were ill-prepared to meet the British and were soundly defeated.  

 

Results:

1609 - 12 year truce was signed between the North & South Netherlands (formally recognized by Spain in 1648)

• North becomes the United Netherlands, South remains as Spanish Netherlands
• Seas opened to English and Dutch
• Formation of English and Dutch East India Company
• Amsterdam developed as a commercial and financial center
• Spanish morale broken due to defeat of the Armada

 

 

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