The Dutch Revolt

Date: 1568 to 1648
Place: Belgium & the Netherlands
Result: Treaty of Munster
             Independence of the Dutch Republic

Flag of the Dutch Republic

        Ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy in the 15th century, by the 16th century the Netherlands had fallen into the domains of the Hapsburg empire. While its ruler Charles V was perceived as sympathetic to Dutch interests, his successor Philip II of Spain spoke neither Dutch nor French, and was more intolerant of Dutch Protestantism.

        In 1567, an attempt by the Hapsburg governor, the Duke of Alba, to repress religious unrest led to open revolt the following year. Although initially suppressed, the revolt flared up again in 1572.
        In 1579, a union of provinces loyal to Spain was formed in the south of the Netherlands. This was countered by the Union of Utrecht in the north which under William of Orange, became independent from Spain. Although the Spanish general Parma retook the largest city of the Utrecht union, Antwerp, in 1585, the Spanish could not make any more headway to the north.

        This was acknowledged in a 12-year truce in 1609, and, though the Spanish tried again to recapture the rebellious provinces during the Thirty Years' War, at its end in 1648 Spain was finally forced to officially recognize Dutch independence.