Discuss the causes of the Dutch revolt against Spain. What were the consequences for the emerging power of England?

Essay by Axis_of_EvilUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, November 2002

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Question:

Discuss the causes of the Dutch revolt against Spain. What were the consequences for the emerging power of England?

Answer:

Although the Low Countries possessed no other identity other than fragmented states that were "owned" (or controlled) by the dukes of Burgundy, and therein, when called upon to send delegates to an estates general, the seeds of collaboration were placed. As Phillip II entered the scene with his outright foreign Spanish influence (where he was born and resided), followed by the introduction of Spanish soldiers, governors, and officials, the first currents of revolt began to stir. As the religious wars consumed Europe, the 'invasion' of Philip II aroused rebellious feelings on both political and religious grounds--as the majority of the Netherlanders were Protestant and Phillip and his Spaniards were emphatically Catholic. In 1566, a "league" was formed to counter the Spanish influence and their petition to Spain to forgo the Inquisition in their states was refused.

Thus, the Netherlanders, poised for the troubles of the religious wars, the foreign influence on their way of life and political structure, and the realization that their very liberties were at stake, stirred the masses into revolt.

As the internal conflict of the Low Countries (the northern seven now formally aligned and declaring independence as the United Provinces of the Netherlands--or "Holland") against Spain continued, England was eventually dragged into the fray because, like all conflicts that waged in Europe at the time, the matter of religion was again at stake. England, Protestant itself, was already in conflict with Spain, and the foundation of plans to eradicate Queen Elizabeth I and all of Protestantism with her came to the forefront of the Spanish intentions. Thus, England joined Holland in...