The Dutch Republic, formally the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, was a federation of provinces in the northern Low Countries that broke away from Spanish Habsburg rule. Its independence was declared in the Act of Abjuration against Philip II, after years of revolt that were sparked by religious repression and high taxation. The country was led by the House of Orange as stadtholders, alongside a powerful merchant class, and Spain recognized its independence at the Peace of Munster in 1648. In the seventeenth century, the Dutch Golden Age made it a world leader in trade, shipping, finance, science and art, through companies such as the Dutch East India Company. The republic ended when French revolutionary forces occupied the country in 1795.
Before and after
- c. 1580Eruption of Billy Mitchell
- 11 June 1580Founding of Buenos Aires
- from July 1580 to January 1700Colonization of Siberia
- 1581Construction of Uffizi Gallery
- from 26 July 1581 to 19 January 1795Dutch Republic
- 26 July 1581Act of Abjuration
- from 18 August 1581 to 4 February 1582Siege of Pskov
- 24 February 1582Pope Gregory XIII reforms the calendar
- 3 April 1582Battle of Tenmokuzan
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- from c. 1583 to 1997British Empire
- from 16th century to 18th centuryBaroque
- 1623Founding of Barbados
- from 22 October 1721 to 1 September 1917Russian Empire
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.