The Eighty Years' War (1568-1648, also known as The Dutch Revolt and Dutch War of Independence) was a military conflict between the seventeen provinces of the Netherlands and Spain, which then governed them, beginning in the reign of King Philip II of Spain (1556-1598). Peace was concluded in 1648 with the establishment of the Dutch Republic.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 1555 - 1568Religious tensions mount in the Netherlands in response to Philip II's edict and the imposition of the Inquisition.
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1556Philip II of Spain issues his Edict of 1556, a continuation of Charles V's 1550 Edict, outlawing Protestant sects, books, preaching, and meetings in the Netherlands.
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1566Protestants in the Netherlands engage in the Beeldenstorm ("Statue Storm") destroying Catholic iconography.
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1567The Duke of Alba persecutes Protestants under Philip II's edict; thousands are executed.
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1568 - 1648The Eighty Years' War in the Netherlands.
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1568Montmorency and Egmont executed; William the Silent flees to the Holy Roman Empire; War begins.
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1609 - 1621Twelve Years' Truce; Netherlands becomes a major European power.
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1621 - 1648Hostilities resume until concluded by the Peace of Westphalia.
