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Military Power and the Dutch Republic
War, Trade and the Balance of Power in Europe, 1648-1813
In 1667, the year of the Raid on the Medway, the Dutch Republic was at the pinnacle of its might and fame. A century and a half later little of this glory remained and Napoleon wiped the country off the political map. This book provides a military explanation for the ‘miracle’ of the seventeenth century and the demise that ensued. How were the army and navy in the Dutch Republic organised and financed? What tactics were employed and how did military leaders operate? Where did the Republic’s troops come from and how was society involved? How did the tens of thousands of anonymous sailors and soldiers live, and how were they regarded by civilians?
Published in co-operation w.ith the Netherlands Institute of Military History (NIMH). First published as Krijgsmacht en handelsgeest.Om het machtsevenwicht in Europa (1648-1813),Boom Uitgevers, 2019. Translated by Lee Preedy and Paul Arblaster.
Available at: www.lup.nl
A comprehensive study addresses the human aspect of military exploits in the Dutch Republic, where army and navy operated within a social, economic and political context. Not only is it praiseworthy for the outstanding contributions, the well-chosen illustrations, the clear maps and the design as a whole, but most particularly for the innovative perspectives. – **** Dutch broadsheet NRC Handelsblad on theDutch edition.
An excellent account of an important episode in military history and in the development of Europe. Takes forward existing work on the war. The use of images is particularly valuable. – Jeremy Black, University of Exeter on The EightyYears War, the first volume in this six-part series.
All the authors are associated with the Netherlands Institute for Military History (NIMH)
