Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer are still household names, even though they died over three hundred years ago. In their lifetimes they witnessed the extraordinary consolidation of the newly independent Dutch Republic and its emergence as one of the richest nations on earth. As one contemporary wrote in 1673: the Dutch were 'the envy of some, the fear of others, and the wonder of all their neighbours'. During the Dutch Golden Age, the arts blossomed and the country became a haven of religious tolerance. However, despite being self-proclaimed champions of freedom, the Dutch conquered communities in America, Africa and Asia and were heavily involved in both slavery and the slave trade on three continents. This substantially revised second edition of the leading textbook on the Dutch Republic includes a new chapter exploring slavery and its legacy, as well as a new chapter on language and literature.

The Dutch Republic emerged from the epic revolt of the Netherlands against Spanish rule in the late sixteenth century and almost immediately became a major political force in Europe. Leslie Price - an acknowledged expert in the field - shows how this extraordinary new state, a republic in a Europe of monarchies, was able to achieve such successes despite the burdens of the Eighty Years War with Spain, which only came to a definitive end in 1648.

This fascinating new interpretation of Dutch society in the Golden Age is a major contribution to early modern history. Dutch society in this period was to a significant extent different from that of the rest of Europe. A high proportion of the population lived in the numerous towns and market forces had penetrated the whole economy and transformed every level of society. The heart of this book is a discussion of the processes by which this unique society was produced and an analysis of its character. These social changes are set against the late sixteenth century background and in the context of international, political and economic circumstances of the seventeenth century. In the final chapters the effects of the strains of war and a stagnant and faltering economy on Dutch society are outlined.

The Dutch Republic emerged from the epic revolt of the Netherlands against Spanish rule in the late sixteenth century and almost immediately became a major political force in Europe. Leslie Price - an acknowledged expert in the field - shows how this extraordinary new state, a republic in a Europe of monarchies, was able to achieve such successes despite the burdens of the Eighty Years War with Spain, which only came to a definitive end in 1648.

Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer are still household names, even though they died over three hundred years ago. In their lifetimes they witnessed the extraordinary consolidation of the newly independent Dutch Republic and its emergence as one of the richest nations on earth. As one contemporary wrote in 1673: the Dutch were 'the envy of some, the fear of others, and the wonder of all their neighbours'. During the Dutch Golden Age, the arts blossomed and the country became a haven of religious tolerance. However, despite being self-proclaimed champions of freedom, the Dutch conquered communities in America, Africa and Asia and were heavily involved in both slavery and the slave trade on three continents. This substantially revised second edition of the leading textbook on the Dutch Republic includes a new chapter exploring slavery and its legacy, as well as a new chapter on language and literature.

This is a study of the politics of the pivotal province of Holland and of its role in the political system of the Dutch Republic as a whole in the seventeenth century. It is an original, scholarly, and challenging analysis, which treats the reality of politics from the ground up. J.L. Price explores the politics of the towns of Holland in detail, examines the province's political system, and assesses the ways in which Holland influenced the policies of the Dutch Republic in its Golden Age. Dr Price's novel approach to a complex and important subject sets politics in its economic and social context, and offers valuable insights into the practical politics of the Dutch during the period when they played a major role on the world stage.

The Dutch-Spanish confrontation in the 17th century began as a local insurrection but evolved into the world's first global conflict--a conflict that profoundly influenced the relationship between Europe and the Indies as well as the European balance of power and the world economy. This is the first study of the conflict and its immediate aftermath. Israel reveals the deep and complex divisions between the political elites on both sides and demonstrates the decisive impact of political and military activity on the economic fate of Europe and the wider world.