A 1609 truce gave the Dutch Republic twelve years to build a global empire
The 1609 Treaty of Antwerp paused decades of religious and political warfare, providing the Dutch Republic a crucial window to establish itself as a dominant global economic superpower.
In 1609, the exhausted Spanish Empire and the rebellious Dutch Republic signed the Treaty of Antwerp, initiating a twelve-year truce during the Eighty Years' War. This pause in fighting was more than just a ceasefire; it provided the Dutch with the stability needed to focus on trade and exploration. During these years, the Dutch East India Company expanded rapidly, laying the groundwork for the Dutch Golden Age.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz