The Great Naval Battles: A Study of the Anglo-Dutch Wars

Europe had witnessed an unending struggle in its significant maritime domain

throughout the 17th century.These struggles were based on the competition for
sea dominance between two maritime powers: the Dutch Republic and England.
These nations were the two major maritime powers in Europe. These two powers
engaged in the deadliest wars, followed by violent storms and soaring sails.
Moreover, it created a disruption in the balance of power in Europe marking a
significant period came to be known as ''The Anglo-Dutch Wars.’’

The first major wars uprooted for naval and economic dominance were fought
from 1652 to 1674. The Fourth Anglo-Dutch (1780–1784) War occurred as a result
of Dutch interference in the American Revolution (1780–1784). Moreover, these
English-Dutch wars were inspired by political and economic goals, along with land
gains from utilizing colonial power. Consequently, these disputes transformed the
course of naval warfare and the power dynamics in Europe in the 17th and late
18th centuries. The complicated objectives of these wars had a great influence on
both the history of these maritime countries and today's state of international
politics.

Europe endured significant shifts in the social, political, and economic domains
throughout the 17th century. Notably, during this time, the concept of nation-
states emerged and the Renaissance came to an end, while Protestantism gained
influence. Moreover, within the political domain, this period witnessed the
devastating Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). Religious tensions arose from
protestant reforms that challenged the Catholic church's unity. This war also
redefined borders, established absolute monarchies, and destroyed much of the
continent. Moreover, the difficult circumstances of the Scientific Revolution laid
the foundation for inquiry by denying religious belief.
In the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the English and Dutch were
close allies who fought against the Spanish together. However, as the Dutch
nation gained independence, its fleet began to threaten English trading
companies doing business abroad. Tensions were high in the colonies. For
instance, the Dutch settlers from the East India Company killed British East India
Company members in Indonesia in 1623. Then the rivalry between the two
nations grew even more intense during the Civil War in England when Frederick
William and his son King William II provided financial assistance to the royals,
leading to tensions between the English and the United Netherlands.

The First Anglo-Dutch War was set up after an uncertain time when England
drafted the Navigational Act in 1651, which forbade the Dutch from engaging in
England's maritime commerce. These acts completely excluded Dutch
involvement by requiring that goods imported into England be transported by
English ships or ships from colonized areas. Additionally, the purpose of this act
was to lessen Dutch involvement in the American colonies and to preserve
England's position in North America. Since the English business or trade was not
very significant to the Dutch, this ordinary aggressive measure failed to harm
them immediately. However, many smugglers working from British territory used
it as a perfect excuse to lawfully capture any Dutch ship they came across.

The Dutch Republic's exclusion from profitable trade routes was a major cause of
conflict, fueling rivalry and economic tensions between England and the Dutch
Republic throughout the wars. Both nations have engaged in deadly battles as an
outcome of their naval strength and activities against Dutch ships. The Battle of
Dover was the earliest naval engagement in the English port of Dover, which
started on May 19, 1652. This engagement signaled the beginning of significant
developments in the background of the maritime war.

The English believed they should be acknowledged as the "lords of the seas." and
insisted that Dutch ships salute their ships by flying their flags, even in foreign
ports. However, tensions started when Lieutenant-Admiral Maarten Tromp
declined to give a respectful salute on May 29, 1652. The fight was fierce and
crucial from a strategic standpoint and it also explained the changes that took
place in naval warfare. Despite the Dutch having an early advantage, neither side
emerged victorious at the end of the war. However, the battle between the two
maritime powers continued for a very long period.

The Battle of Portland and the Battle of Gabbard showed acts of brutality, along
with the use of innovative tactics in naval warfare. The Battle of Gabbard in June
1653 proved a turning point for the Dutch because of the English blockade on the
Dutch coast. The English General George Monck put various restrictions on the
Dutch. This blockade was due to the motivations behind his victory claim against
the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Gabbard. The Dutch were greatly affected by the
blockade, which resulted in severe economic hardship and a high unemployment
rate in society. In response to the British blockade, the Dutch organized the
bloody Battle of Texel against the British, which paved the way for them to put an
end to the siege. Even with their outstanding accomplishments, none was able to
establish a dominant supremacy. The war ended in 1654 with the signing of the
Treaty of Westminster. The treaty left multiple issues unresolved, which provided
a base for further confrontations.

The Second Anglo-Dutch War started due to unresolved issues from the First
Anglo-Dutch War. Subsequently, the war broke out with heavy violence, followed
by various minor naval confrontations. Notably, the Four Days' Battle and the Raid
on the Medway were significant battles that impacted both countries' economies.
The major sparking factors in these naval battles were the desire for maritime
dominance and trade supremacy.

However, the Treaty of Breda in 1667 marked the end of the conflict. This treaty
was signed with the specific goal of solving the conflict. The ultimate goal of this
treaty was to ensure the acceptance of New Amsterdam in the hands of the
Republic. Additionally, the other goals were territorial claim adjustments and the
establishment of a brief period of peace between the two nations. However,
tensions continued despite the treaty agreements. Furthermore, little
confrontation during the period paved the way for further conflicts during the
third Anglo-Dutch War.
Finally, an Anglo-French coalition was established in opposition to the Dutch
Republic. Following this, the terms of the Secret Agreement of Dover were
decided by the monarchs of England and France in 1670. This agreement
triggered the Third Anglo-Dutch War, in which England sided with the French and
Cologne against the Dutch. The conflict ended in 1672 with the Treaty of Second
Westminster. This treaty terribly affected the Dutch. Additionally, William III
destroyed the Anglo-French alliance and gave New Amsterdam (later New York)
back to the English. The English also received one million English pounds as
reparation for the war.

In summary, the Anglo-Dutch Wars were more than just historic battles. However,
these wars demonstrated significant turning points in the development of
diplomatic endeavors. During these engagements, both maritime powers showed
their reflections of naval strength. Moreover, these wars marked a period of
shifting global hegemony, leaving a lasting impression on national histories. The
Anglo-Dutch Wars greatly influenced the politics and trade of Europe, followed by
changes in lucrative trade routes and naval combat. Consequently, the long-term
consequences of these wars have changed the balance of power in Europe over
time.