Eighty Years' War

The Eighty Years' War, or Dutch Revolt, was the war of secession between the Netherlands and Spain, as well as subsequent union of Portugal and Spain, that lasted from 1568 to 1648. The war resulted in the Netherlands being recognized as an independent country and as a world power. The region now known as Belgium also became established, as part of the Netherlands.

Background to the War

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, was born in Ghent in 1500, and raised in the Netherlands. He abdicated in 1556, in favour of his son Philip II of Spain who was mainly interested in the Spanish side of the empire. Calvinism had been becoming prevalent in the Netherlands. On Assumption of the Virgin day in 1566 a small incident outside Antwerp cathedral started a massive riot by Calvinists, who stormed the churches to destroy statues and images of Catholic saints ('beeldenstorm' in Dutch), which they felt were heretical. The disorders continued, and as a counter measure, Philip II sent the Duke of Alva, nicknamed the Iron Duke, to the Netherlands with an army. Soon after Alva arrived he had the counts of Egmont and Horne, remained, and Alva had them arested for their part leading to the relaxation of the heresy laws letting the Calvinists gather for the day the revolt started, angering their compatrot William I of Orange, who survived as he had fled to the lands ruled by his wife's father - the Elector Count of Saxony. However he did lose all his lands and titles in the Netherlands and was branded an outlaw.

Related Topics:
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor - Ghent - 1500 - The Netherlands - Philip II of Spain - Calvinism - Assumption of the Virgin - 1566 - Antwerp - Riot - Catholic - Saints - Duke of Alva - Alva - Egmont - Horne - William I of Orange - Wife's

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There were several underlying causes for the war but the condemnation of the entire population to death in 1568 on the part of the Holy See and confirmed by the king was a significant one. "On February 16, 1568 a sentence of the Holy Office condemned all the inhabitants of the Netherlands to death as heretics. From this universal doom only a few persons, especially named, were acquitted. A proclamation of the king, dated ten days later, confirmed this decree of the Inquisition and ordered it to be carried out into instant execution without regard to age, sex, and children. This is the most concise death warrant that had ever been framed. Three million people - men, women and children - were sentenced to the scaffold" (from The Rise of the Dutch Republic, by John Lathrop Motley, Volume 1, Part 2, Chapter 2, par. 12, p. 2).

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Taxation

During the fifteenth century, the Netherlands became an entrepreneurial and wealthy region in the Habsburg empire. Charles V and Philip II began to tax the Dutch when they needed to raise funds for military expeditions, leading to the widespread Dutch perception of Spain as an exploitative ruling power. Before the Battle of Lepanto (1571) the Habsburgs taxed the Netherlands to finance war against the Turks. After Lepanto, Philip II used the Dutch to finance new wars in the Atlantic. Dutch noblemen objected to these wars against some of their most important trading partners. These noblemen were not landed aristocrats, but had risen through trade and finance. They were alienated by Philip II's actions, putting their fortunes at risk.

Related Topics:
Entrepreneur - Habsburg - Charles V - Philip II - Battle of Lepanto (1571) - Turks - Atlantic - Aristocrat - Finance

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Protestantism

The Dutch nobles were not Protestants at first. However, Dutch demands for freedom of conscience were added to their grievances. As the Habsburg empire was informed by a politicized Catholicism, Dutch demands grew increasingly repugnant to Philip II. Ruthless Count Alva was thus sent to suppress the Dutch rebellion. The Dutch resented Spanish taxation, and feared the methods of the Inquisition. The resentments fuelled Dutch protests about their rights, liberties, and religious toleration upon which their wealth from free trade relied.

Related Topics:
Count Alva - Inquisition - Religious toleration

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The Dutch compared their Calvinist values favorably with the luxurious habits of Spain?s Catholic nobility. Symbolic stories from the New Testament, featuring fisherman, shipbuilders and simple occupations resonated among the Dutch. The Calvinist movement emphasized Christian virtues of modesty, cleanliness, frugality and hard work. The Protestant and Calvinist elements of the rebellion represented a moral challenge to the Spanish empire.

Related Topics:
Calvinist - New Testament - Modesty - Cleanliness - Frugality - Moral - Spanish empire

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Centralisation

Dutch nobles also objected to the limiting of their powers in favor of those of civil servants in Brussels. Philip II wanted the central government to have more authority in matters like law and taxes.

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