How did the Act of Abjuration declare independence from Philip II of Spain?

The Act of Abjuration (Akte van Afzwering), issued in 1581, served as a formal declaration of independence for the Low Countries by the States General.12

The document declared that King Philip II of Spain had forfeited his sovereignty over the provinces due to his persistent tyranny. By asserting that the monarch had failed in his duties to his subjects, the States General effectively renounced his authority.12

While this act was intended as a declaration of independence for the entire region, its lasting impact was ultimately limited to the northern provinces, which had previously formed a closer union through the Union of Utrecht. Following the issuance of the act, the northern provinces continued their struggle for autonomy, eventually emerging as an independent state known as the Dutch Republic.123