Eighty Years' War

In this episode, we explore the Eighty Years’ War, also known as the Dutch Revolt, a long conflict between the Habsburg Netherlands and the Spanish Empire that reshaped European history. The episode looks at how religious tensions from the Reformation, heavy taxation, and Spanish attempts to centralize power under Philip II sparked rebellion across the Low Countries. We follow the rise of resistance leaders such as William the Silent, the struggle of the northern provinces against Spanish military power, and the impact of the Twelve Years’ Truce and the wider Thirty Years’ War. Finally, we examine how the Peace of Münster in 1648 secured international recognition for the Dutch Republic, divided the Low Countries, and helped launch the Dutch Golden Age as the Republic emerged as a major commercial and political force.