Reinterpreting the Dutch Forty Years War, 1672-1713

This book aims to reinterpret current perceptions of the Dutch Forty Years War (1672-1713), usually regarded as a struggle against the expansionism of Louis XIV, birthing the European balance of power. Particular attention is given to recent international relations theory, through the examination of popular and official documents, as well as political and diplomatic correspondence. While focusing on the emergence and appropriation of Universal Monarchy and Balance of Power discourses, this book also provides counter discourses, allowing readers to explore the lively domestic debate on foreign policy along partisan lines.

Reinterprets the view that the Dutch Forty Years War was a struggle against French expansionism Integrates developments in international relations theory into the study of early modern history Applies a discourse research model to a wide spectrum of both popular and political primary sources

Autorentext

David Onnekink is Assistant Professor of the Department of History at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Inhalt

1. General Introduction.- 2. Foreign policy discourses and the construction of identities.- 3. The Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678).- 4. The Nine Years' War (1688-1697).- 5. The War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713).- 6. General conclusion.