The Dutch Republic in the seventeenth century : the golden age

Maarten Prak charts the political, social, economic and cultural history of the Golden Age through chapters that range from the introduction of the tulip to the experience of immigrants and Jews in Dutch society, the paintings of Vermeer and Rembrandt, and the ideas of Spinoza. He sets the Dutch experience within a European context and examines the extent to which the Golden Age was a product of its own past or the harbinger of the more modern, industrialized and enlightened society of the future. This accessible study will prove invaluable reading to anyone interested in Dutch history. The Dutch are 'the envy of some, the fear of others, and the wonder of all their neighbours'. So wrote the English ambassador to the Dutch Republic, Sir William Temple, in 1673. Maarten Prak offers a lively and innovative history of the Dutch Golden Age, charting its political, social, economic and cultural history through chapters that range from the introduction of the tulip to the experiences of immigrants and Jews in Dutch society, the paintings of Vermeer and Rembrandt, and the ideas of Spinoza. He places the Dutch 'miracle' in a European context, examining the Golden Age both as the product of its own past and as the harbinger of a more modern, industrialised and enlightened society. A fascinating and accessible study, this 2005 book will prove invaluable reading to anyone interested in Dutch history The Enigma Of The Republic -- A Turbulent Beginning -- I: War Without End -- An Independent State (1609-1650) -- A World Power (1650-1713) -- The Armed Forces -- Financial Might -- Ii: Golden Age: Economy And Society -- A Market Economy -- A Worldwide Trading Network -- Riches -- Toil And Trouble -- Iii: Unity And Discord: Politics And Governance -- Community -- The Authorities -- A Dissonant Chorus -- Iv: An Urban Society -- Religious Pluralism -- A New Approach To Science And Philosophy -- The Dutch School Of Painting -- The Urban Landscape -- The End Of The Golden Age. Maarten Prak ; Translated By Diane Webb. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 274-302) And Index. Chronology Maps Introduction: The enigma of the Republic 1 A turbulent beginning 2 An independent state (1609–1650) 3 A world power (1650–1713) 4 The armed forces 5 Financial might 6 A market economy 7 A worldwide trading network 8 Riches 9 Toil and trouble 10 Community 11 The authorities 12 A dissonant chorus 13 Religious pluralism 14 A new approach to science and philosophy 15 The Dutch school of painting 16 The urban landscape 17 The end of the Golden Age Further reading The Dutch are 'the envy of some, the fear of others, and the wonder of all their neighbours'. So wrote the English ambassador to the Dutch Republic, Sir William Temple, in 1673 and Maarten Prak here offers a lively and innovative history of this Dutch 'miracle' in the 17th century