2F - France and the Dutch Republic: relations between Louis XIV and Charles II of England
Learn how Louis XIV tried to isolate the Dutch Republic, why the invasion of 1672 became a longer European war, and what France gained at Nijmegen. Relations with Charles II are essential to understanding both the promising opening and the limits of Louis's diplomatic planning.
From partnership to Dutch rivalry
France and the Dutch Republic had shared an interest in resisting Spanish power, but that did not make them permanent allies. French gains in the War of Devolution brought a stronger France closer to the Dutch southern frontier. The Dutch role in the Triple Alliance of 1668 helped restrict Louis's gains, making the Republic an obstacle to further French ambition.
Commercial disputes reinforced the political tension. Dutch merchants and shipping were central to European trade, while Colbert wanted to strengthen French manufacturing and commerce. French tariffs, including the increases of 1667, challenged Dutch interests. Competition at sea therefore made conflict more attractive to some French policymakers, although the war cannot be explained solely as a commercial quarrel.
Louis also attached importance to prestige. Being restrained by a republic whose leaders did not accept his claims offended his sense of royal standing. This motive helps explain the intensity of his hostility, but it needs to be connected to practical decisions: isolating the Dutch, assembling allies and preparing an invasion. A personal grievance could influence policy without being a sufficient explanation of a major war.
The Republic's position was vulnerable in one respect and strong in another. Its land defences could be threatened by a concentrated invasion. Its naval capacity, financial resources and ability to attract support made it a much harder opponent to eliminate. Louis's strategy aimed to exploit the first weakness before the latter strengths could become effective.
Charles II and the Treaty of Dover
Charles II of England had several reasons to cooperate with Louis. English and Dutch merchants competed, and England had already fought the Dutch in the 1660s. French subsidies could also give Charles money without requiring him to obtain every payment from Parliament. Charles was Louis's cousin, but kinship supported rather than replaced calculations about money, trade and power.
The secret Treaty of Dover in 1670 committed Charles to cooperation against the Dutch. It also included his promise to declare himself a Catholic, with French financial support. That religious undertaking was kept secret from much of the English political world and was not fulfilled. The British Library's catalogue identifies the treaty's signed protocol and subsequent records of French payments. These records provide firmer evidence of the agreement than assuming that public Anglo-French relations told the whole story. British Library, Clifford Papers, Add MS 65138.
For Louis, English participation promised to put pressure on Dutch naval power while France attacked on land. Agreements with the bishops of Münster and Cologne further supported the attempt to isolate the Republic and facilitate an invasion. Diplomatic preparation was therefore part of the military strategy, rather than a separate background detail.
The arrangement had limits. Charles could receive French money, but he still had to govern an overwhelmingly Protestant political nation. Suspicion of Catholic influence, the demands of Parliament and the costs of war could obstruct his commitments. Louis secured the cooperation of a king; he did not obtain permanent control of English policy or society.
Invasion and Dutch survival in 1672
France, England and their partners attacked the Dutch Republic in 1672. French armies advanced rapidly, crossed the Rhine and occupied much of the eastern Republic, including Utrecht. The Dutch disaster year, or Rampjaar, brought both military danger and political upheaval. It initially seemed that Louis's preparation had produced a decisive advantage.
Dutch resistance prevented that opening from becoming complete conquest. The defenders opened sluices and flooded areas of the Dutch Water Line, creating barriers across routes towards the western towns. Inundation did not make the whole country safe, but it slowed land forces and bought time. At sea, Dutch fleets under Michiel de Ruyter prevented Anglo-French naval pressure from delivering a decisive invasion of the coast.
Louis's demands during negotiations also mattered. A settlement involving major territorial and financial concessions offered the Dutch little reassurance about their future independence. Continuing resistance could appear preferable to accepting a peace that would leave them permanently vulnerable. Military strength gave Louis bargaining power, but pressing that power too far could discourage agreement.
Continue this lesson.
You’re previewing NovaLearn without an account. Create a free account to read the rest.
Create free account