The Dutch War (1672–1678) was a war fought between France and a quadruple alliance consisting of Brandenburg, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and the United Provinces. The war ended with the Treaty of Nijmegen (1678); this granted France control of the Franche-Comté (from Spain).
France led a coalition including Münster and Great Britain. Louis XIV was annoyed by the Dutch refusal to cooperate in the destruction and division of the Spanish Netherlands. As the Dutch army had been neglected, the French had no trouble taking the fortress of Maastricht and then marching to the heart of the Republic, taking Utrecht. However they were halted by inundations , the Holland Waterline. The bishop of Münster laid siege to Groningen but failed. An attempt was made to invade the Republic by sea, but this was thwarted by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter in four strategic victories against the combined Anglo-French fleet (these events are usually called the Third Anglo-Dutch War). Prince William III of Orange had the leading Dutch politician Johan de Witt deposed and murdered, was acclaimed stadtholder and forced the French to leave the Republic by cutting of their supply lines. Great Britain then abandoned the war. Then slowly the French were driven out of their conquests in the Spanish Netherlands.
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Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46
