2. Social Structure Primarily found in the Netherlands, also in South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Australia Two parts of the Dutch Empire, The North (Protestantism) and the South (Catholicism) The Dutch empire directly corresponded with the Hapsburg Empire.
3. Early History The Dutch Republic was a loose Federation of seventeen provinces until Charles V took under his rule in 1543. Holland, Zeeland , Flanders, and Amsterdam all important trade hubs in Europe. 1580 The Dutch came into direct competition with Portugal for trade with Brazil, Africa and the Indian Ocean. This led to the Dutch- Portuguese War.
4. Dutch Hegemony 1594 the “Company of Far Lands” was founded with great success. This led to a trade company boom that became counterproductive to the Dutch Economy. The Dutch East India Company was formed in 1602 and put an end to all of the small trade companies with sole rights to trade with the East. 1621 the Dutch West India Company was founded leading to a 25 year monopoly of the entire world trade.
5. Anglo-Dutch Wars 1651 The English passed the Navigation Acts that excluded the Dutch from trade with the Caribbean. This led to the first Anglo-Dutch War. 1664 English forces tried to capture New Netherland (New York). Led to the 2nd Anglo Dutch war. Eventually traded for colonies in Suriname under the Treaty of Breda in 1667. 1673 during the third Anglo-Dutch war the Dutch would take back New Amsterdam but returned it the next year.
