The GOLDEN AGE of the DUTCH REPUBLIC Ch 15: Successful & Unsuccessful Paths to Power The GOLDEN AGE of the DUTCH REPUBLIC

The Netherlands: The “Low Country”

The Spanish Netherlands: Union of Utrecht, 1579 The United Provinces still recognized Spanish rule, but, in 1581, they declared their independence.

The Netherlands (1609)

17th century: The “Dutch” Century A certain level of religious toleration Calvinism was the dominant religion Catholics and Jews also enjoyed religious toleration but had fewer rights. - Religious toleration enabled the Netherlands to foster a cosmopolitan society that promoted trade Stable, thriving economy. “Golden Age” of artists and thinkers. - Religion and everyday life were recurring themes in their art.

17th century: The “Dutch” Century Most densely populated European country after a few Italian states Over 50% of the population lived in cities First “bourgeois” society?

17th century: The “Dutch” Century Most densely populated European country after a few Italian states Over 50% of the population lived in cities First “bourgeois” society?

Oude Kerk [Old Church], Amsterdam First built in 1300

Interior of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam - Emmanuel De Witt

Interior of a Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam – Emmanuel De Witte

Portrait of an Old Jewish Man Rembrandt, 1654

Government Government was dominated by merchants whose wealth and power limited the power of the state Government was run by representative institutions Consisted of an organized confederation of seven provinces, each with representative gov’t Each province sent a representative to the Estates General Holland and Zeeland were the two richest and most influential provinces Each province and city was autonomous (self-governing) Each province elected a stadholder (governor) and military leader During times of crisis, all seven provinces would elect the same stadholder, usually from the House of Orange.

The Dutch Federation REGENTS STADHOLDER - provincial level - held virtually all the power - strong advocates of local independence STADHOLDER - States General representative from each province - responsible for defense and order STATES GENERAL - assembly of representatives from every province

Dutch Society Amsterdam, Rotterdam: granaries with enough surplus for one year (people were well fed) Generally higher salaries than in any other parts of Western Europe. Had the highest standard of living in Europe!

The Dutch Economy Fishing was the cornerstone of the Dutch economy - Major industries included textiles, furniture, fine woolen goods, sugar refining, tobacco cutting, brewing, pottery, glass, printing, paper making, weapons manufacturing and ship building Not much inflation. Offered far lower interest rates than English banks; this was the major reason for its banking dominance Masters of the “carrying trade” (lowest shipping rates in Europe). At one point, the Dutch were responsible for about half of Europe’s shipping

Tulips! 

Tulips Mania The first bubble? At its peak, a single tulip bulb cost the equivalent of three years’ wages for a skilled artisan

Dutch East India Company Dutch East India Company and Dutch West India Company organized as cooperative ventures of private enterprise and the state - DEIC challenged the Portuguese in East including South Africa, Sri Lanka, and parts of Indonesia. - DWIC traded extensively with Latin American and Africa

17c Dutch Global Commerce

Dutch East India Ship, mid-17c

Return of the Dutch East India Fleet, 1599

Amsterdam Stock Market (Bourse) Emmanuel De Witte, 1653 Jewish refugees helped found it in 1602

Amsterdam Exchange Bank

The Lace Maker Nicolaes Maes

The Lace Maker Jan Vermeer, 1669-1670

The Account Keeper Nicolaes Maes, 1656

Fort Orange (Albany, NY) in New Netherlands

New Amsterdam (NYC) Settled in 1624 Official Flag of the NYC Seal of the City of NY

Dutch Empire at its Height

The Dutch in Japan, 18c

Dutch Golden Age Art

Night Watch Rembrandt, 1642

Self Portrait Rembrandt, 1629

A Young Woman with a Water Jug Vermeer, 1662

Girl with a Pearl Earring Vermeer, 1665

Decline Lost control of Baltic trade, fishing industry declined Trade wars with England & wars/defending itself against French invasions cost $$$ 1715: Treaty of Utrecht. British mercantile power eclipses the Dutch.