Spanish Netherlands

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Spanish Netherlands

Spanish-held provinces in the southern Low Countries (roughly corresponding to modern Belgium and Luxembourg). In 1578 the diplomat Alessandro Farnese was sent to represent Spain in the Netherlands, and by 1585 he had reestablished Spanish control over the southern provinces, ending the union with the northern provinces that followed the Pacification of Ghent. In the 17th century the region saw a resurgence of economic and intellectual growth. As a buffer between Protestant and Catholic states, the region was the scene of constant warfare; areas were ceded to the Dutch Republic (1648) and France (1659). The territory began to decline in the late 17th century. Spanish control was lost after the War of the Spanish Succession, when the region passed to Emperor Charles VI and became the Austrian Netherlands.

For more information on Spanish Netherlands, visit Britannica.com.

Search unanswered questions...

Browse: Unanswered questions | Most-recent questions | Reference library

Learn More

	Maubeuge
	Papiamentu (creole)
	War of Devolution (war, Spain/the Netherlands/France)

	Who ruled spain netherlands spanish america and the holy roman empire? Read answer...
	When did louis xiv invade the spanish netherlands? Read answer...
	What can you do in the netherlands? Read answer...

Help us answer these

	What became of the northern provinces in the Netherlands once Spanish control was removed?
	Was netherland included in the war of the spanish succession?
	Why did Phillip 2 strengthen the Spanish inquisition in the Netherlands?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

Copyrights: