Dutch Republic

The Dutch Republic, officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces, was a republic in Europe. The confederacy of provinces existed from 1581 to 1795.

Republic of the Seven United Netherlands Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden
1588–1795[1]
Statenvlag Coat of arms
Motto: Concordia res parvae crescunt[2] "Unity makes strength"
Anthem: Het Wilhelmus "The William"
Location of the Dutch Republic in 1789
Capital	Amsterdam
Common languages	Dutch, Zeelandic, West Flemish, Dutch Low Saxon, West Frisian
Religion	Dutch Reformed
Government	Confederative republic
Stadtholder
• 1581–1584	William I (first)
• 1751–1795	William V (last)
Grand Pensionary
• 1581–1585	Paulus Buys (first)
• 1787–1795	Laurens van de Spiegel (last)
Legislature	States General
• State council	Council of State
Historical era	Early modern
• Union of Utrecht	23 January 1579
• Act of Abjuration	26 July 1581
• Peace of Münster	30 January 1648
• Batavian Revolution	19 January 1795
Population
• 1795	1880500[3]
Currency	Guilder
Preceded by Succeeded by Habsburg Netherlands Batavian Republic
Today part of	Belgium  Netherlands

It started when seven northern provinces of the Spanish Netherlands joined together to fight for independence. It ended when Napoleon set up the Batavian Republic, which later became the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and later the modern Netherlands (now part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands). Alternative names include the United Provinces, Federated Belgic Provinces, and Belgic Federation.

Although it was called a republic, its stadtholder became a heredity dynasty.