Dutch United Provinces

Definition

The Dutch United Provinces was a confederation of seven provinces in the Netherlands that existed from 1581 to 1795, achieving independence from Spain and becoming a major maritime and economic power.

Analogy

Think of the Dutch United Provinces like a school's student council where each class (province) has its own representative but they all work together for the benefit of the entire school (the country).

Related terms

Dutch East India Company: A powerful company established by the Dutch to carry out colonial activities in Asia. It was one of the key institutions contributing to the wealth and influence of the Dutch United Provinces.

Tulip Mania: A period in 17th century during which contract prices for tulips reached extraordinarily high levels, then dramatically collapsed. It is often considered as first recorded speculative bubble.

Anglo-Dutch Wars: Series of conflicts fought between English and Dutch in 17th & early 18th centuries over trade routes and colonies.