The Dutch Revolt

Part 1 Prelude: the Netherlands in 1549; the seeds of discontent (1549-59); the erosion of royal power (1559-64); the collapse of royal power (March 1564-October 1565). Part 2 The fFirst revolt (1565-8): the crisis; Spain, 1566 - the time of decisions; the failure of the first revolt; the sending of the duke of Alva; the duke of Alva's new order. Part 3 The second revolt (1569-76): the gathering storm; 1572; the prince of Orange's new order; the failure of repression (1573-6). Part 4 The third revolt (1576-81): revolution; Orange's triumph; the split. Part 5 Independence and survival (1581-9): the failure of leadership in the Republic; the Spanish reconquest; war or peace?. Part 6 Consolidation and settlement: the war to 1609; the Dutch Republic as a great power; the survival of the Spanish Netherlands; postscript - the Netherlands divided.