Pacification
Quick Summary
The "Pacification of Ghent" was a declaration in 1576 where the northern and southern provinces of the Low Countries united against the Spanish Habsburgs. This marked a significant expression of Dutch national identity. The declaration called for the removal of Spanish troops, the restoration of local rights, and an end to religious persecution. While allegiance to King Philip II of Spain was not renounced, the provinces intended to dictate terms for reconciliation. The agreement implicitly allowed the Calvinist provinces of Holland and Zeeland religious autonomy, while Catholic provinces were to tolerate Protestants. However, internal religious conflicts and the eventual resumption of hostilities by Spanish forces weakened the union, leading to the formation of separate alliances in 1579: the Union of Arras (southern, Catholic, leaning towards Spain) and the Union of Utrecht (northern, Protestant, for continued resistance).1
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NetherlandsQueen Wilhelmina and World War IThe “Pacification,” as the compromise was called, was adopted in 1917 and put into effect after the return of peace. The war years saw almost all political controversies set aside, while the government took unprecedented action in maintaining trade and guiding economic life. Although spared the…
Read MoreThe “Pacification,” as the compromise was called, was adopted in 1917 and put into effect after the return of peace. The war years saw almost all political controversies set aside, while the government took unprecedented action in maintaining trade and guiding economic life. Although spared the…
Read More- NetherlandsThe late 20th century
…received official confirmation in the Pacification of 1917 and removed most of the tinder from Dutch politics, but it also kept ordinary Dutchmen ideologically separated from each other to a greater degree than in most other Western countries. Yet, because the leaders of the pillar organizations worked well with each…
Read More…received official confirmation in the Pacification of 1917 and removed most of the tinder from Dutch politics, but it also kept ordinary Dutchmen ideologically separated from each other to a greater degree than in most other Western countries. Yet, because the leaders of the pillar organizations worked well with each…
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