Tijd voor Geschiedenis

As rich as a king
5.1. As rich as a king (historical view)

5.1.1 From rebels to riches

In the previous chapter you were introduced to the Dutch Republic. In 1584 this area has only been rebelling
against Spain for a few years. When the Republic is recognized by Spain in 1648 it has developed from a small,
rebel area to a big and powerful country. The economic and cultural growth is enormous! The Republics influence
doesn't stop at the borders of the country. The Republic has many colonies in the East and the West. These
colonies are often bigger than the Republic itself! The trade industry in the Republic picks up and the tiny nations
wealth keeps on growing. This has enormous consequences for art and science. The republic is surrounded by
kingdoms with powerful monarchs. These countries try and steal away the riches and the power that this little,
unique country has!

What happened to the Republic after it was founded? How has is become so wealthy? Which consequences does
the wealth of the country have for its citizens? What about the rest of Europe and what is the Republics
relationship with them like? All these questions, and many more, shall be answered in the next few paragraphs.
But to be able to answer them all we will have to look back to 1648.

1585 The fall of The Spanish army is able to conquer Antwerp

Antwerp after a long siege. We call this fight the fall of
Antwerp. Before this Antwerp was an the largest
Dutch trade city. Because it fell Amsterdam would
become the biggest Dutch trade city.

1588 The The seven most northern provinces in the

founding of Netherlands decide to become one republic.
the Dutch From now on they are a country without a
Republic. monarch.

1602 The In 1602 the East India Company is founded. The

founding of founders hope to stimulate cooperation within
the Dutch the spice trade industry . Shown here is a picture
East India of the East India Company.
Company
1606 The After the East India Company decides to sell
founding of shares of their company the Amsterdam stock
the exchange is founded. Soon after many other
Amsterdam companies follow in this example. Because of this
Stock a special building was built in 1608 to
Exchange accommodate the stock exchange.

1609 The Many countries and cities have their own

founding of currency. People can exchange their own
the Bank of currency for the Florentine Florin
Amsterdam

1621 The The West India Company is founded in 1621. It is

founding of the younger sister of the East India Company. This
the Dutch company focuses on trade in middel and south
West India America.
Company

1628 The A silver fleet sailing from spain is robben by the

robbing of West India Company in 1628. This robbery is a
the silver good source of income for the Republic.
fleet

1628- The work The French philosopher Descartes stays in the

1649 of René Republic for 20 years. He feels comfortable there
Descartes because of how tolerant the Republic is.
in the
Republic

1629- Christiaan Thanks to Christiaan Huygens a lot of discoveries

1695 Huygens are made in the Republic. His work is extremely
important to the scientific field in that time. One
of them is the pendulum clock.
 1648 Peace of The Dutch revolt ends in the Peace of Münster.
Münster

1661- The rule of Louis XIV is otherwise known as the 'Sun King'. He
1715 Louis XIV was given this name because he is at the centre of
his kingdom. He has absolute power over his
people.

1672 The year of In Dutch history 1672 is known as the year of

disasters disasters. This is because the Republic was
simultaniously attacked by the French, the British
and the Germans. Grand pensionary Johan de
Witt was blamed for the attacks and was
murdered by a crowd of angry people.

1685 The Being a protestant in France is forbidden in 1685

revoking of Many protestants flee to the Republic.
the Edict of
Nantes

5.1. As rich as a king (topical view)

5.1.1 The first economic bubble
In the previous chapter you were introduced to the Dutch Republic. In 1584 this area has only been rebelling
against Spain for a few years. When the Republic is recognized by Spain in 1648 it has developed from a small,
rebel area to a big and powerful country. The economic and cultural growth is enormous! One of its specialities is
the trade in luxury products. A lot of money is made in this field. Delftware, oil painting and 'Dutch' tulips are just a
few examples of luxury items produced in the Republic.

In 1630 a tulip mania started in the Republic. Special types of tulips are worth their weight in gold and merchants
start investing in special tulip bulbs before they have even started to bloom. An example if this are the black tulips.
Merchants invested heavily in a specific bulb as they were promised that the bulbs would bloom as black tulips.
But this ends in tears as black tulips can't even be cultivated. The tulip mania stops as suddenly as it started. The
market collapses and many merchants are stuck with their expensive bulbs and no one to buy them...

Economic hypes are still a thing today. A recent example is the internet bubble in 2000. Because everybody
expected the internet and small tech companies to bring about a lot of revenue a lot of money was invested in
shares of internet companies. Nobody wanted to be left out and everyone keeps buying in the hopes of gaining
money quickly. But suddenly all trade stops... A worldwide crises follows this hype. In this chapter we'll be
focussing on the economic and cultural development of the Republic and the relationships with Europe.

1585 The fall of The Spanish army is able to conquer Antwerp

Antwerp after a long siege. We call this fight the fall of
Antwerp. Before this Antwerp was an the largest
Dutch trade city. Because it fell Amsterdam would
become the biggest Dutch trade city.

1588 The The seven most northern provinces in the

founding of Netherlands decide to become one republic.
the Dutch From now on they are a country without a
Republic. monarch.

1602 The In 1602 the East India Company is founded. The

founding of founders hope to stimulate cooperation within
the Dutch the spice trade industry . Shown here is a picture
East India of the East India Company.
Company

1606 The After the East India Company decides to sell

founding of shares of their company the Amsterdam stock
the exchange is founded. Soon after many other
Amsterdam companies follow in this example. Because of this
Stock a special building was built in 1608 to
Exchange accommodate the stock exchange.
1609 The Many countries and cities have their own
founding of currency. People can exchange their own
the Bank of currency for the Florentine Florin
Amsterdam

1621 The The West India Company is founded in 1621. It is

founding of the younger sister of the East India Company. This
the Dutch company focuses on trade in middel and south
West India America.
Company

1628 The A silver fleet sailing from spain is robben by the

robbing of West India Company in 1628. This robbery is a
the silver good source of income for the Republic.
fleet

1628- The work The French philosopher Descartes stays in the

1649 of René Republic for 20 years. He feels comfortable there
Descartes because of how tolerant the Republic is.
in the
Republic

1629- Christiaan Thanks to Christiaan Huygens a lot of discoveries

1695 Huygens are made in the Republic. His work is extremely
important to the scientific field in that time. One
of them is the pendulum clock.

1648 Peace of The Dutch revolt ends in the Peace of Münster.

Münster
 1661- The rule of Louis XIV is otherwise known as the 'Sun King'. He
1715 Louis XIV was given this name because he is at the centre of
his kingdom. He has absolute power over his
people.

1672 The year of In Dutch history 1672 is known as the year of

disasters disasters. This is because the Republic was
simultaniously attacked by the French, the British
and the Germans. Grand pensionary Johan de
Witt was blamed for the attacks and was
murdered by a crowd of angry people.

1685 The Being a protestant in France is forbidden in 1685

revoking of Many protestants flee to the Republic.
the Edict of
Nantes

5.2. A glorious Golden Age

5.2.1 Holland and Zeeland are successful
After the Republic has been established the Dutch economy blooms. This is called Golden Age. Holland and
Zeeland become wealthy thanks to trade policies. But why was it these two provinces that gained so much from
the policies?

For centuries fishing is the main source of income. The soil isn't efficient enough to cultivate corn so they import
corn from elsewhere. It is therefore that the farmers are able to focus their attention on producing products for
faraway lands. This is why products such as milk, cheese, butter and crafted treasures are produced to trade
overseas. Thanks to the trade market that begins existing in these cities more and more cities come in to
existence. The main focus of these cities is trading.

The open seas to the west and the rivers heading towards the middle of Europe give the Republic a huge
advantage. After the fall of Antwerp Amsterdam becomes one of the biggest trade cities in the world! The city
becomes the new staple city. Products are stored in the warehouses and are sold when there is a shortage. This
way the merchants can sell the products for a higher price. In 1600 approx. 10.000 ships pass through Amsterdam
each year! It is no surprise that in 1609 the exchange bank of Amsterdam is opened. In this bank foreign currency
can be exchanged for florin. Hfl. is a strong currency with a regular value. It can be used in the whole of Europe.

Thanks to being a staple city and the Exchange bank of Amsterdam the city flourishes. Rich citizens come from far
away to earn money. The stock exchange is the ideal place to do so. At the stock exchange market people can
invest in companies. All the activities created by the trade industry meant more jobs and more wealth for the city
of Amsterdam. This attracts more and more people to the city and it is therefore that the city expanded in four
stages between 1568 and 1665, creating the canal district. In this time the number of citizens of Amsterdam grows
from 30.000 to 160.000!

5.2.2 The Dutch East India Company

In the 16th century the Portuguese were the only people to trade in the East Indies. Portugal is a part of Spains
kingdom between 1580 and 1640, and so they are the Republics enemy. To prevent Spain from profiting from the
Portuguese spice-trade and to gain wealth Holland and Zeeland travel to the East Indies themselves to fetch
spices. Several ships leave for the East Indies to find pepper, clove and other spices. In the start they returned with
only a half laden ship. Johan van Oldenbarnevelt wants the various companies to work together. Cooperating
with each other would lead to more we profits and together they could also be a stronger weapon against Spain.
When the Dutch East India Company is founded in 1602 they receive full monopoly over the trade in Asian
waters. They also receive the authority to wage war and sign treaties in name of the Republic.

Voyages to the East Indies are dangerous. The ships have to sail right past the African coast with its hostile
Portuguese forts. Storms that would last for days, or days without any wind at all could mean trouble. Food and
water could spoil if the crew was to get stuck at sea. Crews that left for the East Indies (=oostinjevaerders) never
did know if they would be coming back or not. The leaders of the Dutch East India Company were investing in
ships that weren't sure to return. Because investing in these huge ships is a big risk they decide to sell shares to
investors. Shareholders who invest in the company receive a small part of the profits. The Dutch East India
Company is the first company in the world to work in this manner and is therefore the first Public Limited
Company.

Batavia on the island of Java is the most important settlement of the Dutch East India Company. But the company
also has settlements and trading posts in South-Africa, India and China. The Dutch East India Company becomes
one of the most powerful organisations. To stay this powerful the Dutch East India Company wants to control the
areas where they trade. Jan Pieterszoon Coen, a leader of the Dutch East India Company uses violence to become
chief of the whole Indonesian island region. In 1617 Jan Pieterszoon Coen becomes viceroy and commanding
officer of Batavia. From then on the islands are called the Dutch East Indies.
5.2.3 The Dutch West India Company
Once the Republic has found its footing in the East it moves on to the West. But in North- and South-America Spain
and Portugal are in charge. The Republic wants to disturb the countries monopoly. To do so they found a new
company in 1621: The Dutch West India Company (=WIC).

The Dutch West India Company is a Multinational just like the Dutch East India Company. They alsohave a
monopoly. The Dutch West India Companies monopoly applies to the West African coast and North- and South-
America. The Dutch West India Company also receives the authority to wage war and sign treaties in name of the
Republic. One of the Dutch West India Companies main goal is freebooting. The Republic hopes to pester Spain by
giving the company the rights to freeboot. An extra bonus is the treasures the company, and thus the Republic,
gains from hijacking the Spanish ships. One of the Dutch West India Companies biggest exploits is the hijacking of
a complete Spanish silver fleet by Piet Hein The loot is huge and the Republic is able to use it to pay for the war
again Spain for a full year.

The Dutch West India Company trades other products than the Dutch East India Company. They trade in gold and
silver, but also join in with the triangel voyage between Europe, America and Africa. The Dutch West India
Company gets in trouble in 1674 they aim their full attention to the lucrative slave-trade. Slaves are bought from
local slave traders in West-Africa. Next the slaves are sold to plantation owners in America. Finally the Dutch West
India Companies ships sail the plantation products to Europe, ending the cycle.

In the meantime the leaders of the Dutch West India Company have moved into the canal district. Slave traders
and plantation owners now live there too. Traces can still be seen nowadays of the residents of several houses. A
façade often gives away who used to live there. One if the chairmen of the Dutch West India Company, Godin, used
to live in what is now the official residence of the mayor. Herengracht 502 is the address for this posh seventeenth
century building. Goding is responsible for the slave trade in the Republic. The slaves are sold at the slave-market
in Curaçao on the Antilles. Our history with human trafficking is something white people have only been
acknowledging the past few year. Nowadays we consider these horrible actions a black page in our countries
history. Since 2002 we commemorate these actions at the National Slavery monument.

5.3. A golden life

5.3.1 The Golden Age of Dutch art
The booming business and the money gained from said business made many people in the Republic prosperous.
Money can't buy happiness, as we all know. But it can buy a lot of other things... A merchant in the Golden Age had
the chance to earn to much money that he could spend most of it on luxury items and still have enough to live off
of. There are also a lot of city chairmen and regents who are good at spending money. Be it for themselves or for
the city itself.

Everyone wants to show off how wealthy they are and so they buy expensive clothes and they have their houses
furnished lavishly. To really show off a lot of people have portraits made of their family. A painter is commissioned
to paint the family. It is a time consuming and profitable job to do. Even simple merchants and craftsmen are able
to buy paintings to decorate their house. Paintings of seascapes, still lives, sceneries or scenes taken from daily life
are for sail. Paintings of these subjects can't be found anywehere else in Europe! There are an estimate of nine
million of these paintings made in the Golden Age and they are all made in the Republic. Other countries focus
their attention on the church or the monarchs of a country.

At the height of the Golden Age there aren't enough good painters to go around. The most famous painter of that
time is probably Rembrandt van Rijn . He was born into a well-to-do family. Other famous painters from the
Golden Age are Jan Steen and Johannes Vermeer. These three painters had similar backgrounds.

5.3.2 Tolerance in the Republic

The trade industry isn't only great for the Republics wealth, it also stimulates new relationships with foreign
countries. Everybody knows where the Republic is and a lot of people decide to come and work here. The new
workers are all very necessary, there is a lot of work to be done. But that's not the only reason people flock to the
Republic. The republic is a tolerant country. This is something a lot of people crave. Everyone is free to write,
think and say what they want. As long as it's not dangerous to the state. The tolerance for different religions is very
different to other countries in Europe. Countries surrounding the Republic most definitely do not tolerate other
religions than their own.

The French king Louis XIV for example, revokes the Edict of Nantes . Tens of thousands of Huguenots flee to the
Republic because there they will be able to preach in peace. Other religions are also tolerated in the Republic.
They're forbidden from preaching in public, are not allowed to work in the government and are often not allowed
to marry Calvinists. They live as second inferior citizens and are not persecuted, but are tolerated .

But it's not just the French that flee to the Republic. Spaniards and Portuege also flee to the Republic to find a
certain sense of peace. One of these refugees was Baruch Spinoza's father. Spinoza would become a scientist and
philosopher. His books, about God and religion, could only be published in a country as tolerant as the Republic.
The rest of Europe only acknowledges his writings 200 years later! The French philosopher René Descartes is
another man who lived in the Republic in peace.

The Republic itself is filled with philosophers such as the above. Hugo de Groot for example publishes papers on
international law and Christiaan Huygens, 1629 - 1695 invents the pendulum clock. Antoni van Leeuwenhoek is
the first person to actually see bacteria under his own made microscope. These breakthroughs, and more, gave
shape to the start of the scientific revolution. A lot of discoveries in this time were done by experimenting and
observation.
5.3.3 The other side of the Golden Age
The name the Golden Age deceptive. It could make you believe that everyone in Republic lived a wonderful life.
You would be wrong to think such a thing. In the 17th century the Dutch people can be sorted into several classes.
And these classes did not all prosper and thrive.

The regents who governed the country were at the top of social ladder. Straight under them were the merchants.
Next were the skilful craftsmen. Thanks to the thriving cultural scene painters and scientists are also high up on
the social ladder. On the second to last step the citizens and the day loners can be found. They are people who
work themselves to the bone to earn enough money for their family. They can't save for a house or a company and
earn just enough to live from day to day.

The really poor people can't be found in the cities. Not because they don't exist, but because they don't live in the
cities, but outside of them. There isn't anything for them there, or they've been chased away. For the ones that
aren't so lucky there are poorhouse and workhouses. Very few people are taken care of by the church. The church
doesn't help anyone, better yet it hardly helps anyone. Women who have lost their husbands for instance are
given alms. But if it's your own fault, if you were to commit a crime for instance, you would not receive help. The
authorities have a hard time assessing who deserves help and who doesn't. Many poor people try to fool them, just
to get out of poverty. p>

Historical thinking skills

In year 1 we talked about the usefulness of sources. We learned that the first step of research is
determining the research question and to look carefully at sources.

Useful sources

There are a lot of sources filled with information about the past. An eyewitness report, a graph or a
painting are a few examples. It is important to always ask yourself which information can be seen, but
also which information cannot be seen. Which information has been omitted?

Graph

A graph usually only shows us number, but by combining it with other sources conclusions can be
connected to the numbers. Try not to just look at the numbers, but to also connect conclusions to
them.

Paintings

Paintings can be extremely good sources. But you should still always ask yourself is they show a good
representation of the truth. A painter always does his best, but this doesn't mean that he didn't omit
information, or change something to make the painting look better. A painting is not an exact replica of
what happened.
 Historical thinking skills/h2>

Representability

Sometimes you find a source of information. But, you could wonder if this information holds true for
everyone.

When doing historical research you always have a subject or research question. Keeping your subject or
research question is important for determining of the source is suitable. A part of the usefulness has to
do with representability.Or, the extent to which the information in the source holds true for the
subject. A painting of regents can give us information about life during the Golden Age, but it doesn't
give us information about the life of a labourer. And so also the wages of a labourer in the Dutch
Republic. In short, the source doesn't represent them. Always ask yourself ' for who does this
information hold true?'

Although it's quite a difficult word, it is a very useful skill for a historian!

You'll be using this skill whilst answering questions 7b and 7c.

5.4. From gold to silver

5.4.1 Who is actually in charge in the Republic?

After the peace of Münster is signed the Dutch government has to get used to the new situation. For '80 years' the
war has been a part of the peoples every day life and now the young Republic really has to get used to peace. A
short time before the peace accords are signed a new stadtholder takes charge of the provinces: William II. William
is an ambitious man. He wants to shape the Republic into a powerful and strong Calvinistic country. He sees
himself as king of the Dutch provinces. But he is not able to set his plans into action. In 1650 William II is infected
with smallpox during a hunting trip. Eight days after his death his successor, William III, is born.

Before his untimely death William II angered a bunch of people by carrying out a coup d'etat. He does so by
pressuring the States-General to give him his way. Williams opponents use his death to take the wheel. The state
attorney is their leader. The battle between the pro-Republic party and the Orangist party rages. It is typical for
the Republic. Williams death kicks off the first period without a stadtholder and is therefore a victory for the pro-
Republic party. This period lasts until 1672.
5.4.2 Icecold diplomacy and burning hot trade wars
The peace of Münster doesn't only bring the Republic peace, it also changes how it is viewed by its neighbouring
countries. France and England for example see the Republics economical grow as a threat. After the peace of
Münster has been signed France makes sure to protect its economic interests. England does the same by enacting
the Navigation Acts . Only English ships are allowed to import goods into their country. This is bad for the Dutch
provinces trade industry because they usually made money doing exactly that. This results in a series of trade
wards with France and England called the Anglo-Dutch wars (1652 - 1654).

In the meantime the province of Holland appoints a young and competent state attorney: Johan de Witt . He
works as head of the Republic and signs the, very secret, Act of Seclusion in 1654. Peace is short lived and the
second Anglo-Dutch war starts in 1655. This time admiral Michiel de Ruyter, 1607 - 1676 wins the war and a new
peace is signed called the Treaty of Breda .

But in the same summer of 1667 the Republic comes to blows with king Louis XIV of France. He still occupies the
southern provinces. France seeks economic independence but the Republic wants and needs to export products
to France. The French king raises the import taxes from the Republic and so they hardly make any money when
products are exported to France

Now the Republic has lost an enemy, Spain, but gained two new ones. England has a gigantic fleet and France a
huge landforce. Both countries don't want to sit idly by whilst the Republic becomes more and more powerful
each day.
5.4.3 The disastrous year of 1672
The meddling neigbours haven't stopped yet. England and France work together to badger the Republic. England
thinks that by waging war with the Republic the pro-Republic government will be overthrown. If that were to be
the case the English kings nephew, William III , would be in charge. This would definitely be good for the English
trade industry.

England attacks the Republic by sea and France attacks by land in March of 1672. The disastrous year of 1672 has
started. The Republic is extremely surprised by Frances advance and the whole country is taken aback. When cities
are attacked the peoples calls for a stadtholder of Orange grow louder. Englands plan has only partially worked.
William III is appointed stadtholder of a few Provinces, but he decides to fight for the Republic and against
England. The people blame the regents for the attacks and it is this fury that spells the end for Johan de Witt. He is
murdered in the Hague.

During all of this the fates are swapped. The English fleet can't beat Michiel de Ruyter and because the Republic
has gathered their allies the French king also has to withdraw.

The Republics economy has been through a rough patch. The chaos and commotion has stopped people from
investing. Besides that England and France double down on their trade laws. The protection on their own
economies makes it nigh on impossible for the Republic to do business in these countries at all. This is a huge
blow for the Republic and is seen as the beginning of the end of the Golden Age.

5.5. Absolutely absolutism

5.5.1 Regents and monarchs
Since the start of the Middle Ages West-European countries have used the feudal system to govern their countries.
Nobles work for the king and help to govern the country. Not a lot has changed by the sixteenth century. This
system is still used in the Dutch provinces as well. But then the Northern provinces rebel against their Spanish
king (See chapter 4) and the Republic becomes a unique country. Why? Well it has no king!

But in other West-European countries, like France and England, the monarchs power just keeps on growing. They
use centralisation to gain more power. The nobles, with whom the kings first shared the power are cast aside.
The monarchs of Europe want to decide everything for themselves. We call this trying to establish absolutist
power.

Most European countries meet in some type of meeting of the classes . For many years the monarchs held these
meetings regularly, but now they seemed to not hold these meetings at all. The representatives of the classes are
only gathered when the monarch wants to ask for an increase in taxes. Each European monarch needs money to
maintain his court and to wage war. Thanks to all of these wars the big countries in Europe become bigger, and
the small countries become smaller. Conflicts between European countries are often the reason the monarchs
keep asking their people for more money.

5.5.2 Louis XIV and his hunger for power

In the seventeenth century France is ruled by king Louis XIV, 1638 - 1715 . The country consists of approximately 19
million residents. Most of them live in poverty. The king and the nobility on the other hand bathe in luxury.

Louis learned to enjoy power when he was only little. As an adult he says chances for change. Most people support
him, they want all of the fighting to stop. They want a strong leader who will bring peace to their country. The king
takes a few measures:

He ensures that legislation and case law are determined by him. There are no more differences between
different areas.
He fortifies the army with soldiers he pays himself.
To prevent the nobility from revolting again he has his castle turned into a palace in Versailles. The French
nobility is forced to live here, this way he can keep a close eye on them. Versailles is always a hubbub of
music, dinners, balls and parties. The king shows his people that he is the richest and the most powerful of
them all.

Louis XIV states that he has been given permission by God to rule over his people as an absolute monarch. This is
called the divine right of the king.
5.5.3 The English thirst for absolute power
In 1625 Charles I succeeds his father James I as king of England. The country is at war with both France and Spain.
Charles I needs money to be able to keep paying for the war. First he has to ask the parliament if he is allowed to
raise taxes. The parliament is fine with this, but they do want more say in other matters in return. Charles I doesn't
agree and he decides to dump his parliament in 1629.

It is hard to stay in charge without any money. Charles I tries to stay in charge of the country by arresting members
of the parliament. The king loses all support. The most important members of state believe they can solve the
problems without him. He is forced to resign and is executed for treason.

England doesn't want a new king and decides to become a republic. Oliver Cromwell, 1599 - 1658 is to lead them.
But the people soon find out that Cromwell is misusing his power and is starting to look an awful lot like a
dictator. He is forced to resign. Charles I son, Charles II becomes the new king of England. But it is made clear that
he is to listen to the parliament. And so England becomes a constitutional monarchy.
5.6. Gap-fill summary
How to:

First fill in the words without using the original page.

Once you've filled in everything you know, open the splitscreen to scroll through the original page.
Don't just fill something in! Every time you want to fill something in think: 'Does this make sense?"
Once you're finished filling it in, explain the titles of each summary to someone (a classmate for instance).

As rich as a king
1. As rich as a king

World The production and consumption of every product in the whole world.
economy
Absolute A form of government, often called absolutism. The monarch is able to decide everything: his/her power is
Power absolute.
Scientific A time when the people are driven to research the world through experimentation.
revolution Many discoveries are done during this period of time. The classical-religious approach made way for a more
scientific approach of the world. This procedure had already been started by the humanists.

2. A glorious Golden Age

Golden Age A time in Dutch history in which the Republic flourished.

The Golden Age mainly occurred in the seventeenth century. The Republic makes huge developments
in the trade industry but also science and the arts,
Trade policies A policy centered around trade.
Staple city A place where products from the whole wold are brought. They are then distributed to other cities or
stored for a while before being sold.
In the 17th century Amsterdam is the most important staple city in Europe.
Exchange bank A bank where money can be exchanged or saved.
Stock exchange A place where tradesmen come together to trade.
Company Trade organisation
The most famous trade organisations are the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India
Company.
Dutch East India A trading group that has a monopoly over the trade in Asia. It was founded in 1602.
Company
Dutch West India A trading group that aims their focus on the trade in America. It was founded in 1621.
Company
Multinational A company that has settlements in several countries
E.g.: Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company. Modern examples of such
companies are Apple, Google, Philips and Shell.
Triangel voyage A trade agreement between Europe, Africa and America. The trade in slaves and plantation products
are the most important products.
3. A golden life

Regents A person appointed to govern a city.

Tolerance The ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behavior that one dislikes or disagrees
with.
Scientific A time when the people are driven to research the world through experimentation.
revolution Many discoveries are done during this period of time. The classical-religious approach made way for a more
scientific approach of the world. This procedure had already been started by the humanists.
Merchants People who make a living buying and selling products at a profit.
Also called tradespeople. The profit is the difference between the price paid for a product (buying) and the
price received for it (selling), minus any taxes and other costs.
Craftsmen People who use certain skills and techniques to make products from raw materials.
Examples of craftspeople are carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers, spinners, shoemakers (cobblers), brewers,
potters, tailors, painters, and so on.
Taking care Taking care of poor people and the elderly.
of the poor The church took care of the poor in some instances.

4. From gold to silver

Coup d'etat When someone tries to overthrow the highest power in a country.
Pro-Republic Regents who want the power to stay with them.
party These people want the regents and the grand pensionary to have the biggest say in the Republics
government. They don't want the stadtholders to gain power.
Orangist party Supporters of the stadtholders of Orange.
These people want the stadtholders to have the biggest say in the Republics government. They don't
want the regents to have power.
Period without a Period without a stadtholder.
stadtholder The first period without a stadtholder was from 1650 until 1672. It started immediately after William II
death. This periode doesn't apply to Friesland and Groningen.
Anglo-Dutch Wars between England and the Republic.
wars The English and the Republic wage three trade wars during the 17th century.
Disastrous year 1672, the year the Republic was attacked.
of 1672 1672 has gone down in history as a disastrous year. In this year the Republic was attacked by both the
English and the French.

5. Absolutely absolutism

Absolute A form of government, often called absolutism. The monarch is able to decide everything: his/her power
Power is absolute.
Meeting of the A meeting in which a representation of all three classes are present.
classes In France and England these meetings are often held to ask for more money so that the king can keep
waging all his wars.
Centralisation Organising a state under a single government in a central place, with the same laws and rules throughout
the state.
Divine right of Rights to rule a country given to a king by God.
the king Christian monarchs used this right to legitimize their power. They claimed that God had called upon
them to rule over their people. They believed they didn't have to answer to anyone else but God.
Parliament Government of a country elected by the people.
Constitutional A form of government in which the king and the parliament make decisions together.
monarchy