Post on 31-Aug-2018
17 th Century: The Golden Age of the Dutch The 7 United Provinces of the Netherlands Are Extremely Unique in the Age of Absolutism Because they represent a progressive and advanced economic system
with a political system based on merchant success.
Merchant Society: Trade Hub of the 17th Century
Fishing, Shipbuilding, Shipping Powerhouse -Made the best ships most efficiently (Fluyt)-Shipped Cargo at the lowest rates
Commercial Agriculture-Agricultural Advances Increase Agricultural Production
-Crop Rotation: -Drainage: Engineered Draining of Swamps to increase farm land
-Commercial Agriculture-Grew cash crops such as coffee, tea, spices, tulips-Imported Cheap Grain from the Baltics to feed people
Bank of Amsterdam-Financial Capital of Europe-Issued its own paper currency-Increased capital and therefore promoted commercial activity
Domination of Asian Spice Trade-Ousted the Portuguese in spice island trade-Created Dutch East India Company
-Joint Stock Company (Company owned by group of investors)-Held a monopoly on all trade in East Asia-Also granted military and diplomatic powers overseas
17th Century Netherlands Amasses Tremendous Wealth-Amsterdam is the trade capital of the world-Holland is the most powerful province
Products of A Successful Merchant Society Known as the Golden Age of the Dutch:
Politically Unique: The Dutch Republic De-centralized, Most Power Is Retained by Each of the Seven Provinces
o Provincial Estates/ Local Assemblies Governed by Wealthy Merchants Oversee domestic activity, especially trade and taxation Held Most Power Stadtholder: Executive Official
Appointed by Provincial Estates Carry out functions ESP Maintaining Military Dominated by the House of Orange Family
o States General/Federal Assemblies Federal, but LESS POWERFUL Governed foreign and diplomatic relations
ALL States General Decisions must be approved by all 7 Provinces
Not interested in territorial expansion, interested in Protecting and Promoting Commerce and Trade Very Different from Many Absolute Monarchs who are looking to expand their territory
Socially Unique: Tolerant Urban Merchant Society
Wealthy Merchants not the Nobility sit atop social class Wealth was distributed more equally
o Highest Standard of Living in Europe Religious toleration and diversity Lack of censorship by government Extremely urban society All once again a product and purpose of promoting commerce
Culturally Unique: The Golden Age Reflect in Art Art is a reflection of the prosperity, tolerance, and urban merchant society in the Netherlands Art Character
Commercial Art Private Middle and Upper Class Merchants were the patrons
Not Royal Courts and Churches Subjects were of landscapes, still lives, markets, harbors, ships, naval battles
o Reflection of what was valued in Dutch Society
Franz Hals, Jan Vermeer, and Rembrandt
Regents of the St. Elizabeth Hospital, By Franz Hals View of Deft, By Jan Vermeer
REMBRANDT: The Night Watch
What Led to the Decline of the Dutch’s Golden Age?
Estimated Losses to Merchant Shipping in the Three Anglo-Dutch Wars, 1652-1674
Dutch Ships Seized by the English 2,000-2,700English Ships Seized by the Dutch 500
We must make defensive fortifications on land as well as outfit warships at sea; but we must also try to end the heavy taxes that are most burdensome on our merchants especially those taxes levied to provide convoys for merchant ships. We who are naturally merchants must have low taxes, peace, and trade as well as protection, and we cannot be turned into soldiers.Anonymous Pamphlet published in the province of Holland 1669
Not only the French monarch but other kings seem more and more to scheme how to ruin what remains of the trade and navigation of the Dutch Republic, and to take over part of it for themselves.Resolution of the Amsterdam City Council, 1671
The English East India Company has grown larger and causes the Dutch much anxiety. This trade competition was the real cause of the war which broke out in the 1650’s between England and the Dutch Republic. It also caused another war between the Dutch and the king of England in the 1660’s.Marquis de Pomponne, French ambassador to the Dutch Republic, Report to French Gov. early 1680’s
The profits of our East Indian trade have turned into losses, the Java trade is declining, and the commercial competition from the English, French, Portuguese, Chinese, and Muslims in Asia cannot be checked.
Dutch Colonial Administrator, letter to the directors of the Dutch East India Company, 1705
Year169516901680167016551645
2