Dutch NationGeography

1556-1648

the seven provinces

• 1300-1400: The French Dukes of Burgundy united the Low Countries

• 1477: Mary of Burgundy married Maximilian, of the House of Habsurg thus joining the Low Countries with the Habsburg Empire

• 1500: The Protestant Reformation swept through Europe and the Dutch Protestants were persecuted by the Roman Catholics

• 1516: The Catholic King Charles l of Spain ruled the Netherlands

• 1519: King Charles l of Spain became Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V

• 1556: The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, gave control of the Low Countries to his son, King Philip ll of Spain

• 1568: William l, the Prince of Orange, led a revolt against the Spanish government

Mary of Burgundy

William l Prince of Orange

• 1573-1574: The siege of Leiden between the rebels and the Spanish

• 1574: The dikes were opened allowing a Dutch fleet to sail over the flood waters rescue Leiden

• 1579: Union of Utrecht the southern provinces of the Low Countries (which is now Belgium) wanted to return to Spanish control but the Dutch rebels continued with the revolt

• 1581: The Dutch declared their independence from Spain

• 1600: The expansion of the Dutch West India colonies, including Sri Lanka, continued due to the massive Dutch sea power. Dutch Traders were the only Europeans allowed to trade with Japan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WilliamOfOrange1580.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_of_Burgundyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leidenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map-1477_Low_Countries.png