The struggle of the Dutch for freedom forms one of the
most notable episodes in history. At first they were no match for the
disciplined Spanish soldiery, but they fought bravely behind the walls of their
cities and on more than one occasion repelled the enemy by cutting the dikes
and letting in the sea. Though William the Silent perished in a dark hour by an
assassin's bullet, the contest continued. England now came to the aid of the
hard-pressed republic with money and a small army. Philip turned upon his new
antagonist and sent against England the great fleet called the "Invincible
Armada." Its destruction interfered with further attempts to subjugate the
Dutch, but the Spanish monarch, stubborn to the last, refused to acknowledge
their independence. His successor, in 1609 A.D., consented to a twelve years'
truce with the revolted provinces. Their freedom was recognized officially by
Spain at the close of the Thirty Years' War in 1648 A.D.
THE DUTCH REPUBLIC
The long struggle bound the Dutch together and made them
one nation. During the seventeenth century they took a prominent part in
European affairs. The republic which they founded ought to be of special
interest to Americans, for many features of our national government are Dutch
in origin. To Holland we owe the idea of a declaration of independence, of a
written constitution, of religious toleration, and of a comprehensive school
system supported by taxation. In these and other matters the Dutch were
pioneers of modern democracy.
