hDiscuss the ways that the 17th century Dutch Republic differed from its neighbors, telling how these differences contributed to the country's success.
The Dutch republic provides a unique example of government in its time. Most governments around the 17th century were monarchies. Their unique system was a provincial government with 7 provinces instead of one ruler. This prevented any one man from being too powerful. Each of the representatives of the provinces could only act on behalf of his province. The Dutch republic found itself to be more successful than most of its contemporaries because of its wealthy middle class, form of government, and its tolerance of many foreign ways.
The power and wealth of the Dutch Republic gathered in the middle class, and the merchants, differing from most governments, where the power is in the hands of the king, the nobles, or some sort of parliament. The Dutch currency, the florin, was the European form of currency because of the Dutch's vast wealth. The Dutch's vast wealth caused it to be a supreme naval power, with over 10,000 ships in its control. Other attributes of the Dutch wealth are their vast knowledge of agriculture, and high class paintings.
The form of government employed by the Dutch during this time frame was built to have a fair government, and to prevent a tyrant from ruling, and destroying the republic. The Dutch republic was divided up into 7 territories known as provinces, lead by a stadholder. There was no rank above it. There was a house known as the House of Orange, but they could only act on behalf of the people. In wartime, the stadholder was the most powerful person in the republic, but peacetime, a burgher took control of all of the economic portions of the government. There was one attempt in 1795 to break up the republic, but it was quickly pounced on, and the government remained the same.
The Protestant reformation brought many troubles to the Dutch Republic. Joseph Arminius taught his own doctrine, which edited the belief of predestination, believed by the Dutch Calvinists. This challenge was quickly over when the Dutch Republic granted religious freedom, and did not take it back. Most of Europe was enveloped in religious wars. Soon after religious freedom was granted, many Protestants from other countries migrated towards the Dutch Republic in hopes of a better life. The culture of the Dutch was enriched by all of these minorities entering the borders, and the economy was stronger than ever.
The Dutch were largely successful where other countries were not. They had a provincial government, avoiding tyrants. The wealth was in the hands of the many, rather than the few. They were not plagued by religious wars, like almost every other European country, and granted religious freedom, giving a bigger working class to its economy.
"The Dutch republic found itself to be more successful than most of its contemporaries because of its wealthy middle class, form of government, and its tolerance of many foreign ways."
ReplyDeleteBut in your thesis statement, you should lead the reader into your argument by explaining how and why its middle class, government, and tolerance were different. What's the bigger picture?