Eighty Years' War

This episode pes into the Eighty Years' War - also known as the Dutch Revolt (1566/1568-1648) - a long and complex struggle that transformed the Low Countries. What began as a rebellion against Spanish rule, fueled by religious tension and crushing taxes, evolved into a fight for independence that reshaped Europe. We trace the conflict from its early uprisings and the founding of the Dutch Republic in 1588, through the Twelve Years' Truce, and finally to the Peace of Munster in 1648, which cemented Dutch sovereignty. Along the way, we explore its causes, major figures, global impact, and the enduring debates over how this defining war should be remembered.