Today I'll give a very brief overview of how the Netherlands became an independent country. Only the high points. I'll go into more details on each of these events later.
1519. Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain originally ruled the area. Then it was known as the 17 provinces and included not just the Netherlands but Belgium, Luxembourg, and some land in France and Germany.
1568. The start of the 80 years war of independence from Spain. In 1579 the northern provinces formed the Union of Utrecht in which the agreed to support one another in their war against Phillip II of Spain. War continued until 1648 when Phillip IV finally recognised the independence of the 7 northern provinces in the Treaty of Munster.
Those northern provnices were; Holland, Zeeland, Groningen, Friesland, Utrecht, Overijssel, and Gelre. They formed a confederation that came to be known as teh Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. All these provinces were autonomous and had their own governements with the States-General seated at The Hague.
One of the main reasons for independence from Spain was religion. Spain was Catholic and the northern provinces were protestant while the southern provinces stayed Catholic. This is why they did not join the northern provinces in their rebellion. Later the southern provinces too, formed an independent nation thus becoming Belgium.
This post leaves lots of little questions I think. Which is good since I plan on answering all of them with their owns posts. Questions like; Holland? Why are the Netherlands called Holland sometimes? What does the Netherlands mean? Spain ruled the Netherlands originally, how? What happened with Luxembourg? etc. But I thought that before my trip I would establish first why I'm going to the NY area so you would understand. Therefore tomorrow will be brief 1600s -1700s history with Wednesday being something why I'm heading to NY.
Side Note: I've changed how the commenting works so if you have something to add or ask, just leave a comment at any time. Thanks.
1519. Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain originally ruled the area. Then it was known as the 17 provinces and included not just the Netherlands but Belgium, Luxembourg, and some land in France and Germany.
1568. The start of the 80 years war of independence from Spain. In 1579 the northern provinces formed the Union of Utrecht in which the agreed to support one another in their war against Phillip II of Spain. War continued until 1648 when Phillip IV finally recognised the independence of the 7 northern provinces in the Treaty of Munster.
Those northern provnices were; Holland, Zeeland, Groningen, Friesland, Utrecht, Overijssel, and Gelre. They formed a confederation that came to be known as teh Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. All these provinces were autonomous and had their own governements with the States-General seated at The Hague.
One of the main reasons for independence from Spain was religion. Spain was Catholic and the northern provinces were protestant while the southern provinces stayed Catholic. This is why they did not join the northern provinces in their rebellion. Later the southern provinces too, formed an independent nation thus becoming Belgium.
This post leaves lots of little questions I think. Which is good since I plan on answering all of them with their owns posts. Questions like; Holland? Why are the Netherlands called Holland sometimes? What does the Netherlands mean? Spain ruled the Netherlands originally, how? What happened with Luxembourg? etc. But I thought that before my trip I would establish first why I'm going to the NY area so you would understand. Therefore tomorrow will be brief 1600s -1700s history with Wednesday being something why I'm heading to NY.
Side Note: I've changed how the commenting works so if you have something to add or ask, just leave a comment at any time. Thanks.
Just noticed that your profile name is de Blau boer, which means blue farmer. very clever and fun. Also while this 1500's reformation was ongoing Bloody Mary in Britain was killing Protestants which could have led to the religious Protestant independence in the Netherlands, which is very close.
ReplyDeleteThe Purple Panther