The political foundation for Netherland was laid in the city of Utrecht in 1579. In that year the northern provinces entered into an alliance called the Union of Utrecht.
The North united, became independent and broke away from Spanish rule. The Union of Utrecht laid the constitutional foundation for the political beginning of Netherland.
A society of ‘ranks and classes’ emerged. This situation would lead to major political tensions and a revolution at the end of the 18th century…
Copper engraving, made after the design of J.C. Droochsloot in 1634
View of Utrecht in 1634. In that city the political foundation for Netherland was laid in 1579. The famous Golden Age lay ahead. Under the influence of the many trade relations, a society of ‘ranks and classes’ developed, in which people from outside the royal and noble circles also obtained economic positions and began to exert influence on the political system of the country.
