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• Formation of the Netherlands: 50 BC -1588
  • Before 50 BC
  • 50 BC - 400 AD
  • 800
  • 925
  • 1419-1467
  • 1477
  • 1515-1555
  • 1555-1581
  • 1566
  • 1568
  • 1579
• The Dutch Republic at war: 1568 - 1813
• The Golden Age: 1600 - 1700
• The Kingdom of the Netherlands: 1813 - 1914
• World wars and post-war reconstruction: 1914 - 1966
• The Dutch struggle against the waters: 1953
• The last decades of the 20th century: 1967 - 2000
• The start of the 21st century

Formation of the Netherlands: 50 BC - 1588

Before 50 BC

Prehistory

Glacial action during the penultimate ice age (the Saale Glacial Stage, 200,000-130,000 BC) was an important factor in the formation of the country as it is today. It produced a hilly landscape in what is now the central Netherlands.
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50 BC 400 AD

The Romans

The southern part of the Low Countries is part of the Roman Empire.
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800

The early Middle Ages

The Low Countries are part of Charlemagne's Holy Roman Empire.
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925

German rule

The Low Countries are part of the German-ruled Holy Roman Empire.
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1419-1467

Burgundian rule

Reign of Philip the Good. The Low Countries are part of the Burgundian 'empire'.
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1477

The Habsburgs

After the death of Charles the Bold (1433-1477), son of Philip the Good, the Low Countries pass into the hands of the Habsburgs when Charles' daughter Mary of Burgundy marries Maximilian I of Austria.
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1515-1555

Chales V

Charles V imposes his rule on the Low Countries and substantially expands his sphere of influence. He becomes sovereign lord of all seventeen provinces of the Low Countries and pursues centralist policies which give rise to increasing resistance.
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1555-1581

Philip II

Philip II maintains the centralist policies introduced by his father, Charles V, and the nobility and gentry unite in opposition. Rise of Protestantism.
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1566

The Breaking of the Images

The nobility petition the governor-general, Margaret of Parma, to end the persecution of religious dissidents. Rioting in the provinces. Iconoclasm sweeps the country. Philip II dispatches the Duke of Alva to restore order.
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1568

The Eighty Years' War

Start of the uprising against Spanish rule. William of Orange leads the revolt against Spain.
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1579

The Union of Utrecht

The southern provinces are subdued by the Spanish troops and conclude the Union of Arras. The seven 'free' northern provinces conclude the Union of Utrecht in which they agree to continue a united struggle against Spain.
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