Journalist and broadcaster Misha Glenny discusses the Netherlands' history, from the Dutch Golden Age to World War Two. Topics include Dutch influence on British institutions, imperialism, and modern relations, as well as the country's transformation into a global superpower and its historical rivalry with Britain.
The Netherlands' diverse cultural influences shaped its history as a prominent trading hub in Europe.
Defiance against the Spanish Empire was driven by religious divisions, leading to the emergence of a united Dutch front.
Deep dives
Geographical Position of the Netherlands
The unique geographical location of the Netherlands, acting as a meeting point between different European cultures, played a significant role in shaping the country's history. This position allowed the Netherlands to absorb diverse influences from surrounding regions and facilitated its emergence as a prominent trading hub in Europe. The geographical diversity within the country itself, with different regions resembling Germanic, French, Scandinavian, and British cultures, further added to its complexity and influence on its historical development.
Defeat of the Spanish Habsburgs
The Netherlands' successful defiance of the mighty Spanish Habsburg Empire, despite being a relatively small country, was driven by internal religious and cultural divisions. The spread of Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, led to a societal split and resistance against Spanish dominance. The Dutch provinces in the North experienced a significant influx of capital and skills, coupled with a growth spurt fueled by the national struggle against the Spanish, ultimately uniting around William the Silent in the 16th century.
Rise and Decline of the Dutch Golden Age
The rapid transformation of the Netherlands from a modestly developed region into a superpower during the Dutch Golden Age was attributed to factors such as entrepreneurial culture, immigration, and the innovative Dutch East Indies Company. This era marked a period of remarkable growth in military, naval, and trading capacities. However, the decline of the Dutch Golden Age was inevitable due to factors like limited population size, intensified global competition, and the rise of other European powers like France and Britain, leading to the Netherlands ceding its dominant position.
In advance of his new BBC Radio 4 series, the journalist and broadcaster Misha Glenny reflects on some of the key moments in the Netherlands’ story: from the Dutch Golden Age to World War Two