Friend or Foe?
Anglo-Dutch relationship between 1585 and 1689
Reflective Questions:
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Why did the Anglo-Dutch relationdhip change so dramatically during the course of the 17th century?
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What was the significance of the Glorious Revolution?
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How come the Dutch, although, was less powerful country than England, they could manage to beat the English in two wars?
As early as the 1620s hostilities broke out between Dutch and English merchants in South-East Asia. The two nations fought three war between 1652 and 1674. However, in 1689, William III of Orange invaded England and crowned as king which became known as the Glorious Revelution. The control of the spice islands was at stake, and both sides were willing to fight for it. Although the Dutch prevailed; on the long run, the English were able to establish and maintain a beter position. By the early 1650s the relationship deterriorated to such an extent that it resulted in an full-scale naval warfare. The two nations fought three wars between 1652 and 1674. By 1688 English magnatess were so displeased with the rule of King James II that they invited William of Orange III to take the British throne which became known as the Glorious Revolution.
In the year 1585, the bond between England and the Nethterlands seemed to be unbreakable. Although the leader of the Dutch Revolt, William of Orange was murdered in 1584, the next year Queen Elisabeth I agreed to send troops to the low countries under the terms of the Treaty of Nosuch. The leader of the troops was none other than the Queen's favourite Sir Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester who later became Governer General of the United Provinces. Despite the fact that Leicester's rule was far from a success, British soldiers would fight side by side with their Dutch ally until the end of the Thirty Years' War. However, those who were staunchest allies in Europe became bitter enemies in the other parts of the world.