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Through inheritance, the area became a possession of the Habsburg dynasty under Charles V of Spain in the late 15th century. In the Netherlands, some part of the population joined with the Reformation? and became protestants. This was not liked by Charles's son and successor [Philip II]?, who also was very distant in attitude (never visiting the Low Countries himself), whereas his father had been raised in Gent? (Belgium) and had become lord of the Netherlands before he became king of Spain. Philips's attempts to enforce religious persecution of the Protestants and his endeavours to centralise government, justice & taxes led to a revolt. William of Orange, a nobleman, took the lead in what is called the [Eighty years' war]? (1568-1648). |
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Through inheritance, the area became a possession of the Habsburg dynasty under Charles V of Spain in the late 15th century. In the Netherlands, some part of the population joined with the Reformation? and became protestants. This was not liked by Charles's son and successor [Philip II]?, who also was very distant in attitude (never visiting the Low Countries himself), whereas his father had been raised in Ghent?,(Belgium) and had become lord of the Netherlands before he became king of Spain. Philips's attempts to enforce religious persecution of the Protestants and his endeavours to centralise government, justice & taxes led to a revolt. William of Orange, a nobleman, took the lead in what is called the [Eighty years' war]? (1568-1648). |
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In this period, the Dutch also started large-scale overseas trade - they hunted whales near Svalbard, traded spices? with India and Indonesia, started colonies in Brazil and New Amsterdam (now New York), South Africa, [St. Maarten]?, etcetera. The wealth, accumulated from all this trade, led to the 17th century being called the [golden age]? for the Netherlands. Quite remarkable was, that in those days the Netherlands were a republic, being governed by an aristocracy of city-merchants ("Regenten") rather than by a king or nobility. In principle every city & province had it's on government & laws. There was much independence of the various cities and districts. |
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In this period, the Dutch also started large-scale overseas trade - they hunted whales near Svalbard, traded spices? with India and Indonesia, started colonies in Brazil and New Amsterdam (now New York), South Africa, [St. Maarten]?, etcetera. The wealth, accumulated from all this trade, led to the 17th century being called the [golden age]? for the Netherlands. Quite remarkable was, that in those days the Netherlands were a republic, being governed by an aristocracy of city-merchants ("Regenten") rather than by a king or nobility. In principle every city & province had it's own government & laws. There was much independence of the various cities and districts. |
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After the Napoleonic era, the Netherlands became a monarchy, with the prince of Orange as king [William I]?. His kingdom originally consisted of what is now the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, but the Belgians had a feeling that they were second-class citizens, and declared their independence in 1830. After a war of only a few days, king William had to give in. In 1848, unrest broke out all over Europe. In the Netherlands, little unrest happened, but the effects were large. The liberal [Johan Rudolf Thorbecke]? was asked by the king to create a new constitution, which basically turned the Netherlands into a democracy. |
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After the Napoleonic era, the Netherlands became a monarchy, with the prince of Orange as king [William I]?. His kingdom originally consisted of what is now the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, but the Belgians had a feeling that they were second-class citizens, and declared their independence in 1830. After a war of only a few days, King William had to give in. In 1848, unrest broke out all over Europe. In the Netherlands, little unrest happened, but the effects were large. The liberal [Johan Rudolf Thorbecke]? was asked by the king to create a new constitution, which basically turned the Netherlands into a democracy. |
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After World War II, Indonesia declared its independence. The Dutch did not agree with this, preferring just an increased amount of internal autonomy, and sent soldiers to fight the so-called 'first and second police action'. However, the determination of the Indonesians and international pressure, especially from the United States, forced the Dutch to recognize Indonesia's independence. Only the eastern half of New Guinea remained Dutch a few years more. Although it was originally expected that the loss of Indonesia would lead to an economic downfall, the reverse appeared true, and in the 1950s the Netherlands quickly increased in wealth. |
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After World War II, Indonesia declared its independence. The Dutch did not agree with this, preferring just an increased amount of internal autonomy, and sent soldiers to fight the so-called 'first and second police action'. However, the determination of the Indonesians and international pressure, especially from the United States, forced the Dutch to recognize Indonesia's independence. Only the eastern half of New Guinea remained Dutch for a more few years. Although it was originally expected that the loss of Indonesia would lead to an economic downfall, the reverse appeared true, and in the 1950s the Netherlands quickly increased in wealth. |
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Homosexual marriage (homohuwelijk, or gay marriage) was permitted from 1 April 2001, probably unique in the world at this time. According to provisional figures from the Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics, for the first six months gay marriages made up 3.6 percent of the total number of marriages: a peak of around 6 percent in the first month followed by around 3 percent in the remaining months: about 2100 men and 1700 women in total. |
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