December 20, 1780
On December 20, 1780, the Kingdom of Great Britain declared war on the Dutch Republic and started blockading Dutch ports to disrupt trade, particularly with America. However, the Dutch didn't declare war until May of the next year.
The Age of the Patriots
The Age of the Patriots, spanning from 1780 to 1792, was a time of significant revolutions that set the stage for the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The Patriots, disenchanted with the absolute rule of Stadtholder William V, Prince of Orange, sought democracy. Their ideals were fueled by Enlightenment thoughts and democratic movements in France. Clashes between the Patriots and the Orangists, who supported William V, were frequent. Although many Patriot-led revolts were suppressed by military forces, notably those from Austria under the Habsburgs, their efforts were not in vain. They sparked the Batavian Revolution, ultimately leading to the fall of the Dutch Republic.
The Age of the Patriots
The Age of the Patriots was inspired by the revolutionary ideas of the Enlightment. However, the American Revolutionary Wars inspired the Dutch Republic, and they were compassionate with the American cause, raising feelings of democracy and, subsequently, patriotism.The Fourth Anglo-Dutch War
1780 1784
The Fourth Anglo-Dutch war was a war fought between 1780 and 1784 between the Dutch Republic and the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was influenced by the ongoing American Revolutionary War, in which the Dutch were sympathetic to the American cause. British concerns over Dutch Trade with the American revolutionaries, especially in terms of providing military supplies to America, heightened the tensions. The war had a major impact on the Dutch Republic's economy.
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1780
20 /12
The Declaration of War of Britain again the Dutch Republic
Diplomatic action -
1781
3 /2
The Capture of St. Eustatius
Military actionFebruary 3, 1781
On February 3, 1781, Great Britain seized control of the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, a key trading centre for the Dutch Republic and its trade with America. -
1781
5 /8
The Battle of Dogger Bank
Military: BattleAugust 5, 1781
On August 5, 1781, the only yet significant battle of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War occurred at the Battle of Dogger Bank. This battle took place on a vast sandbank in the shallow waters of the North Sea. While the outcome was technically inconclusive, both sides sustained considerable damage. However, for the Dutch Republic, this battle was viewed as a notable achievement. -
1783
8 /6
The Eruption of the Laki Fissure
Geological / environmental eventJune 8, 1783
On June 8, 1783, a large crack formed in the Laki Craters, a volcanic fissure in southern Iceland. It released massive amounts of lava and toxic gases. The eruption, together with the nearby Grimsvötn volcano, lasted eight months. Within two years, 20% of Iceland's population, 50% of its cattle, 80% of sheep, and 30% of horses had died. The ash clouds spread to Europe, causing crop failures for years. The event led to widespread famine and contribed to the French Revolution in 1789. -
1784
20 /5
The Treaty of Paris
Diplomatic actionMay 20, 1784
During the continuation of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, there were no significant battles. The Dutch Republic managed to avoid British efforts, which was, however, leading to a naval blockade. This blockade caused severe economic damage and pushed the Dutch into peace talks. On May 20, 1784, they signed the Treaty of Paris. As a result, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) gave up its spice trade monopoly, Britain gained access to the Maluku Islands and took control of Negapatnam in India. Additionally, the Dutch Republic settled its conflicts with Joseph II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Brabant Revolution
1789 1790
The Brabant Revolution (1789-1790) was a revolt in the Austrian Netherlands, sparked by earlier Patriot movements, against Habsburg rule under Emperor Joseph II. This uprising briefly established the United Belgian States, a republic headed by Hendrik van der Noot. However, Austrian forces quickly subdued the rebellion and regained control of the region.
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1789
24 /1
The Formation of the States of Brabant
Diplomatic actionJanuary 24, 1789
On January 24, 1789, representatives from Brabant met in secret. They declared themselves the rightful government, upholding their traditional rights and rejecting Emperor Joseph II's reforms. This led to the creation of the States of Brabant, which infuriated the Austrian Emperor and sparked conflict. -
1789
27 /10
The Battle of Turnhout
Military: BattleOctober 27, 1789
On October 27, 1789, the revolutionaries, under Jan Andries van der Mersch's leadership, won a major victory over the Austrian forces at the Battle of Turnhout. This triumph lifted spirits and bolstered the revolution's credibility, as well as the push for Belgian independence. -
1790
11 /1
The Proclamation of Indepence of the States of Brabant
Diplomatic actionJanuary 11, 1790
After the revolutionaries won, the United Belgian States (États-Belgiques-Unis) was established on January 11, 1790. Most notably, this stateincluded Brabant, Flanders, Hainaut, Namur, and Limburg. However, despite their early success in gaining independence, tensions between radical democrats and conservative aristocrats soon weakened the new government. -
1790
2 /12
The Reinstatement of Austrian rule in the Belgian States
Diplomatic actionDecember 2, 1790
While the Democrats and Aristocrats argued over their plans for the new state, Emperor Leopold II of Austria, successor to Joseph II, aimed to reclaim control. He made use of their internal divisions and swiftly restored Austrian rule, thus ending the independence of the United States of Brabant.
Copyright © 2024 ÀYRNGÁER BY VINCENT JONGMAN
Àyrngáer is a visual story- and worldbuilding project by Zev Chafer, aka Vincent Jongman. The characters and their writings are fictional, but can discuss real life- and autobiographical topics. All artworks and texts are handmade (unless stated otherwise) and created by Vincent Jongman, published with the pseudonym Zev Chafer. You are not allowed to use, copy, sell or distribute this content without the consent of the author/creator.
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