Eighty Years' War

The Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) was a conflict between the Dutch provinces and Spain. The Dutch sought independence from Habsburg Spanish rule, motivated by religious differences, taxation, and local autonomy. Over nearly a century, they fought through battles, sieges, and political struggles, gradually gaining control of territories. The war concluded with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, officially recognizing the Dutch Republic as independent. This war significantly contributed to the rise of the Netherlands as a major maritime and economic power, shaping the modern concept of nation-states and sovereignty.