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Dutch Republic History Site

The Dutch Republic remains an enigma to this day, miracle or not. In one of the smallest countries of Europe, something remarkable happened. First, how did seven autonomous provinces in the Netherlands succeed in bringing down the might of Spain? Second, how did their merchants and cities bring about a commercial revolution becoming the entrepot of the world? Third, how did society respond to the prevailing climate of religious tolerance and scoial equality? Fourth, what kind of culture did this lead to?

For generations historians have been trying to graple with these big issues, which are very much intertwined. From Motley in the 19th century to more recently Jonathan Israel they have tried to solve this riddle. Was the Dutch Republic a unique kind of political experiment in co-habitation: between different provinces (seaward - landward), cities (larger trading ports - smaller urban manufacturing industries), people (nobility - regents); and many religions?

What strikes us today, and largely accounts for its popular appeal, is the modernity of the Dutch Republic. Headed by a republican government, further underpinned by a civic society made up of a host of municipal institutions and a commercially-based economy .

Pieter Wagenaar was the original founder of this website, of which Otto van der Meij later became a member on the editorial board. His aim was (and still is) to establish a virtual research network of historians interested in the Dutch Republic. Datewise, this roughly comprises the sixteenth through to the eighteenth century or what is more generally known as early modern Europe.

However, this original intention has been sidelined through lack of response in favour of a more general research instrument for students of history wordlwide. On this website they and other interested visitors can gain easy and accessible information on a range of topics, which will only increase in time.

Firstly, emphasis is given to current and up to date bibliographies of useful literature. Secondly in providing summaries of congresses, and thirdly a beginning has been made with making reviews of important new publications.

Finally, students are invited to ask questions to the editors for more information. Special queries will be relayed to specialists on the topic involved.

Both the editors are professional historians themselves, with a particular fascination for the institutional framework of the unique state that once was the Dutch Republic. This website however remains a private initiative, not linked to any university or organization. Lack of resources and time therefore means priorities have to be made, though eventually we hope to be as comprehensive as possible.