How did the policies of the Duke of Alba increase opposition to Spanish rule?

The policies of the Duke of Alba as governor-general of the Netherlands (1567–1573) significantly intensified opposition to Spanish rule through a combination of religious persecution, the erosion of local autonomy, and aggressive taxation.12

• The Council of Troubles: Alba established this special court, infamously known as the "Council of Blood," to suppress heresy and rebellion. It bypassed traditional legal processes to condemn thousands of people to death or imprisonment and confiscated their property. By executing prominent nobles like the counts of Egmond and Hoorne, he alienated the aristocracy and forced many into exile, where they joined the Geuzen guerrilla forces.213
• Centralization and Taxation: Alba attempted to impose a permanent 10 percent sales tax, known as the "Tenth Penny," to fund the central government and break the traditional privileges of the provinces. This move was viewed as a final step toward absolute monarchy, uniting both Roman Catholics and Calvinists in opposition against Spanish control.13

Ultimately, these repressive measures transformed localized unrest into a widespread revolt, providing the impetus for the Eighty Years' War.453