The Dutch Republic in the Seventeenth Century

Substantially revised second edition of the leading textbook on the Dutch Republic, including new chapters on language and literature, and slavery.

The Dutch Republic was at the forefront of the remarkable developments which European societies underwent in the early modern era. This substantially revised edition of the leading textbook on the Dutch Republic explores the particular set of circumstances that allowed such a small country to become a world power in the seventeenth century.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.