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The Dutch Golden Age (Dutch: Gouden Eeuw [ˈɣʌudən ˈeːu, ˈɣʌudə ˈʔeːu]) was a period in the history of the Netherlands which roughly lasted from 1588, when the Dutch Republic was established, to 1672, when the Rampjaar occurred. During this period, Dutch trade, scientific developments, art and overseas colonisation was among the most prominent in Europe. The first half of the period spanned from the beginning of the Eighty Years' War until its conclusion in 1648, with the second half lasting until the outbreak of the Franco-Dutch War. During the period, Dutch colonialists, many of them affiliated with the East India Company and West India Company, established trading posts and colonies in the Americas, Southern Africa and Asia, protected by the powerful Dutch States Navy. The Dutch also dominated the triangular trade and Atlantic slave trade during this period.
Dutch culture experienced a renaissance during this period as well. However, by the end of the 17th century, conflicts with neighbouring powers as well as declining economic influence led to the end of this period. The process by which the Dutch Republic became one of the foremost maritime and economic powers of the world during the era has been referred to as the "Dutch Miracle" by historian K. W. Swart.[1] The term "Dutch Golden Age" has been controversial in the 21st century due to the extensive Dutch involvement in slavery and colonialism during the period, and it has been deprecated by several museums in the Netherlands, including the Amsterdam Museum.[2][3]
- ^ Swart, Koenraad Wolter (1969). The miracle of the Dutch Republic as seen in the seventeenth century. London: H.K.Lewis & Co Ltd. Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ Trouw (21 September 2019). "Het debat over de naam Gouden Eeuw is waardevol en nodig". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "Amsterdam Museum gebruikt term 'Gouden Eeuw' niet meer". Historiek (in Dutch). 13 September 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2023.