... Understanding the formation of the Republic is imperative in order to comprehend how unity or disunity occurred throughout its existence. The Union of Utrecht in 1579 was the starting point for the Republic, where the provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, overijssel, Friesland and Groningen formed and alliance to oppose the Spanish rule. By 1555 the low countries were part of the Habsburg Empire and from 1566, when the iconoclastic revolt occurred, parts of the region were regularly dedicated to fighting the subjugation. This unification was not as Simon Schama suggested in his study The embarrassment of riches a result of a unique national identity, but instead a union of necessity in order to combat a common enemy. Marjolein C. 't Hart cites the "...cultural fragmentation..." as reason enough to dispel Schama's theory. The Union of Utrecht was involved mostly the Northern provinces, whilst the Southern provinces chose instead to ...

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