The Dutch Wars of Liberation From Spanish Rule

17 Netherlands prior to the Dutch rebellion

1579 Map of the Netherlands indicating the Unions of Utrecht (blue) and Atrecht (yellow)

Philip II, King of Spain

The Relief Of Leiden, 1574

William I of Orange, 1580, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, and Margrave, and Opponent of Spanish Rule

William Triumphant

Assassination of William of Orange by Balthasar Gérard (1584)

Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange

Members of the Dutch Nobility Who Opposed Spanish Rule

1600 - efforts to eliminate the naval threat of Dunkirker raiders lead to the Battle of Nieuwpoort

1607 - Battle of Gibraltar the recently expanded Dutch navy destroys a Spanish fleet at Gibraltar

Naval Engagements

1625 - The Surrender of Breda (Velázquez) depicting one of the few Dutch defeats in the latter stage of the war

1645 - the Siege of Hulst, the last big siege of the war

Ratification of the Treaty of Munster, 1648, Painting by Gerard Terborch

Amsterdam citizens celebrating the Peace of Münster, 1648, Painting by Bartholomeus van der Helst

Spanish Empire and the Dutch Republic in 1648