Spanish Netherlands

The Spanish Netherlands refers to a group of territories in what is now Belgium and parts of northern France, under Spanish rule from the late 16th century until the early 18th century. This period began after the Treaty of Antwerp in 1585, following the Eighty Years' War when the Spanish crown aimed to maintain control over the region. The Spanish Netherlands was marked by economic prosperity, artistic achievements, and political turmoil, leading to conflicts such as the War of the Spanish Succession. Eventually, these territories were ceded to Austria in 1714, marking the end of Spanish rule.