The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 22: 1574-76

"The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 22: 1574-76" by John Lothrop Motley is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The book delves into the intricate political and military landscape of the Dutch Republic during the height of its struggle for independence from Spanish rule. It focuses specifically on the events surrounding the years 1574 to 1576, a tumultuous period marked by war, negotiations for peace, and shifting power dynamics among key figures. In this volume, Motley provides a detailed narrative of the ongoing conflict, highlighting key characters such as William of Orange, the Prince of Orange, and various diplomats and military leaders of the time. The book explores the unsuccessful negotiations for peace with Spanish authorities, the internal political developments within the northern provinces, and the struggle between local municipalities and central authority. Motley's writing vividly captures the socio-political unrest, the fierce determination of the Dutch people to secure their freedom, and the diplomatic maneuvers that were often fraught with insincerity and contention. The events culminate in heightened unrest and the eventual declaration of independence from Spanish control, setting the stage for the subsequent formation 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.