The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 02: Introduction II

"The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 02: Introduction II" by John Lothrop Motley is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The text delves into the rise and development of the Dutch Republic, exploring the significant forces such as feudalism, clerical power, and emerging commerce that shaped Dutch society over five centuries. The narrative highlights the transformation of the Netherlands as it navigates through oppression and gradual assertion of human rights leading to the eventual establishment of a republic. At the start of this volume, the author begins by outlining the historical context of the Netherlands, contrasting the chaotic feudal hierarchy where nobility wielded power through violence and coercion. Motley elucidates how three predominant forces—the sword, the clergy, and ultimately gold—interacted to influence Dutch society and governance. He describes the grim conditions of serfdom and explains the rise of urban centers that began to challenge feudal dominance through commerce and collective power. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of how these dynamics shaped the struggle for rights and autonomy in the political evolution of the Dutch Republic. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Lothrop Motley was an American author and diplomat. As a popular historian, he is best known for his works on the Netherlands, the three volume work The Rise of the Dutch Republic and four volume History of the United Netherlands. As United States Minister to Austria in the service of the Abraham Lincoln administration, Motley helped to prevent European intervention on the side of the Confederates in the American Civil War. He later served as Minister to the United Kingdom during the Ulysses S. Grant administration.