Dutch Republic Free Response Question

Discuss ways that the 17th-century Dutch Republic differed from its neighbors, telling how these differences contributed to the country's success.

       The Dutch Republic in the 1600s came to be known as the "Golden Age of the Netherlands." Some even went as far to call it "an island of plenty in a sea of want." The Dutch Republic strategically worked their way to become a power in Western Europe in the 1600s. The Dutch Republic differed from France within the fact that they had a hard working middle class that did not live life excessively at home which led to success; but the Dutch  differed from England because they did not have strong military forces to keep control of their colonies or fight wars and therefore led to its downfall.

      The Dutch Republic prospered because of a hard working merchant class. The merchant class prospered especially in banking and trade. The Dutch had their own gold, florin, that eventually became the international unit of monetary exchange. Amsterdam, a city in the Dutch Republic, was the center of world banking. The Dutch were successful in trade because of the vast variety of ships they owned, and the expertise they showed in fishing and building canals. Despite these successes in the workplace, the Dutch did not live excessively at home. The Dutch did not decorate their homes with ornate art and architecture like homes in France. The Dutch spent their money on food and other necessities. In France, home were decorated elegantly with expensive artwork, and they built their houses for beauty not comfortability. The Dutch knew what was important to succeed.

      The Dutch Republic in the 17th-century had established colonies all over the world. In North America, the Dutch had established the important colony of New Amsterdam. New Amsterdam was located within the bigger Dutch colony of New Netherlands. New Amsterdam was along the Hudson River, and therefore provided many opportunities for trade in North America. However, New Amsterdam was coveted by England. England had several colonies surrounding the Dutch colonies, and was in a hurry to take over the Dutch's property. England was able to annex New Amsterdam because England had one thing that the Dutch did not: a strong military. No matter how successful the Dutch were in trade and banking, they lacked a strong army. The English easily defeated the Dutch and took over New Amsterdam and renamed it New York.

       The Netherlands' military was unsuccessful in winning wars, along with keeping control of colonies. The English annexing of New Amsterdam was part of three short wars between the English and the Dutch known as the Anglo-Dutch Wars. The wars were prompted by the English introducing an act called the Navigation Act. The act caused tensions between the Dutch and the English and started the wars. These wars ultimately led to the downfall of the Netherlands' "golden age." The Dutch's already weak military was split between fighting the English and defending itself from Louis XIV of France who was always looking to expand his empire.

         During the 17th-century the Netherlands experienced a type of golden age. This golden age prospered because of differences between other European countries such as France and England, but also failed because of those differences. The main differences that led to the success and eventually the downfall of the Dutch Republic were the simple life the Dutch led and the lack of a strong army.