AP European History Flashcards: The Dutch Golden Age
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is an oligarchy?
An oligarchy is a form of government where a small group of people, typically the wealthy elite, holds power.
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What is an oligarchy?
An oligarchy is a form of government where a small group of people, typically the wealthy elite, holds power.
What was the Dutch Republic?
A republic established by a Protestant revolt against the Habsburg monarchy, which developed into a major European commercial power.
What was the religious dimension of the Dutch Republic's founding?
The republic was founded through a Protestant revolt against the rule of the Catholic Habsburgs, making it a key event in the religious conflicts of the era.
Why would an oligarchy of merchants and landholders be particularly interested in 'promoting trade'?
This ruling class's wealth and social status were directly tied to commercial success, so promoting trade was essential for maintaining and increasing their own power and prosperity.
Who held political power in the Dutch Republic's oligarchy?
Political power was held by a combination of urban gentry (wealthy city merchants and officials) and rural landholders.
What does the goal of 'protecting traditional rights' suggest about the Dutch Republic's political structure?
It suggests a decentralized state where individual provinces and cities retained significant autonomy and privileges, which the ruling oligarchy sought to preserve against monarchical power.
Describe the form of government in the Dutch Republic.
The Dutch Republic was an oligarchy, where power was held by a small, wealthy elite of urban gentry and rural landholders.
How did the Dutch Republic's government differ from that of France or Spain during the same period?
While nations like France and Spain were developing into centralized absolute monarchies, the Dutch Republic was a decentralized republic ruled by a commercial oligarchy.
What were the two primary goals of the ruling class in the Dutch Republic?
The ruling oligarchy aimed to promote trade, which was the source of their wealth, and protect the traditional rights of the provinces.
What major event led to the establishment of the Dutch Republic?
The Dutch Republic was established as a result of a successful Protestant revolt against the Catholic Habsburg monarchy.