The Netherlands was ruled by Spain for 60 years, and before that time it wasn't different from any other part of Germany. Under Spanish rule they learned modern navigation, constructed the most advanced ports in Europe, new-world trade flowed into Holland, they inherited the art of the Italian renaissance, adopted Spanish fashion (feathers in caps, long collars, culottes, wide-brimmed hat, buckles, et cetera) and generally rode off the back of the successes of the Spanish Empire. The Spanish language has also left its mark on their language. They went from being lowland-Germans with no unifying identity, like Hanoverians and Pomeranians, to a unified and distinct national identity from 60 years of Spanish rule. The Dutch golden age, Dutch colonialism and the Dutch Empire are all an inheritance of the Netherlands from the Spanish Empire. The Dutch are Hispanicised Germans.
""""""""""""ruled"""""""""" by spain means that someone married someone
>>59657260
Indirectly ruled, but a direct possession of the Spanish crown none the less.
>>59657260
Oh that's rich coming from you lot
>>59657260
keep calm ,son.
we love you like mexico and south america :)
No, it wasn't even directly ruled.
>>59657501
If you weren't ruled by Spain, then who did you get your independence from?
yeah except that the spanish people were so shit at ruling the low lands we blew them the fuck out
watergeus for life
>>59657523
We governed ourselves for the most part and would even have remained in the empire even if Spain gave us more freedom.
>>59657578
Then why did you have to fight for independence? The truth is, the Netherlands were indirectly ruled, but they were still a territory of Spain, and rode on the back of the Spanish Empire. Being part of Spain brought many advances to the Netherlands. It's hard to believe now, but Spain was the most powerful country in the world back then.
You were like their Puerto Rico.
>>59657734
Because we thought the emperor was unreasonable according to Dutch at the time with this demands especially when it came to religion. You can read about it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighty_Years%27_War
What I do know is that Spain motivated traders to succeed even more because it was needed to cover war expenses.
I don't know if Spain was of great influence but there's a lot of influences from all sorts of sources which can be Spain but also ourselves, Britain, Germany, Belgium etc.
