Anglo-Dutch Wars

The Anglo–Dutch Wars (Dutch: Engels–Nederlandse Oorlogen) were a series of conflicts mainly fought between the Dutch Republic and England (later Great Britain) in the mid-17th and late 18th century. The first three wars occurred in the second half of the 17th century over trade and overseas colonies, while the fourth was fought a century later. Almost all the battles were naval engagements.

The English were successful in the first Anglo-Dutch war, while the Dutch were successful in the second and third. However, in the century between the third and fourth war, the British Royal Navy had become the most powerful maritime force in the world, while the Dutch navy had fallen to fourth position, behind the French and Spanish.

Quotes

Second war: 1665–1667

• In thriving arts long time had Holland grown,
    Crouching at home and cruel when abroad:
  Scarce leaving us the means to claim our own;
    Our King they courted, and our merchants awed.
  * * * * *
  Thus mighty in her ships, stood Carthage long,
    And swept the riches of the world from far;
  Yet stoop'd to Rome, less wealthy, but more strong:
    And this may prove our second Punic war.
  What peace can be, where both to one pretend?
    (But they more diligent, and we more strong)
  Or if a peace, it soon must have an end;
    For they would grow too powerful, were it long.
  • John Dryden, Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Wonders, 1666, sts. 1, 5–6