AHC/PC: English Commonwealth and United Provinces avoids mutual wars-

raharris1973

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Here's the challenge and plausibility check- having the English Commonwealth established after the ousting of Charles I and the United Provinces of the Netherlands, retain generally positive, and always peaceful, relations with each other, on the basis of basic ideological compatibility (Calvinist religion & Republican or non-monarchical political principles among the elites) that somehow prevents clashes of commercial, naval and geopolitical interest from causing wars in the 1600s. How could the English Commonwealth/Protectorate and the UP go about managing their competing interests without resort to war?
 
The main problem here is that both desire expansion in the same places - North America (because colonialism) and the East Indies (because money and spices (thus money)).

They are going to be rivals, and war between the two is extremely likely. Trade monopolies were just too tempting, and sometimes required military force to maintain.

Maybe the Netherlands accept Cromwell's invitation to unify with the Commonwealth?
 
The main problem here is that both desire expansion in the same places - North America (because colonialism) and the East Indies (because money and spices (thus money)).

They are going to be rivals, and war between the two is extremely likely. Trade monopolies were just too tempting, and sometimes required military force to maintain.


Personaly I believe that the competition over colonies was less of a cause during the first Anglo-Dutch war than during the second and third. The cause was that the Dutch were the main trading power and were trading with England and its colonies. The Englishbasicly wanted to keep the Dutch out and take over the trade. They unilateraly proclaimed the act of navigation, a quite humiliating act, in which the Dutch had to accept English dominance, something the Dutch could and wouldn't accept. Besides that there was obviously the Stuarts, who found a hiding place in the Netherlands especialy Mary, the mother of William III.
Maybe the Netherlands accept Cromwell's invitation to unify with the Commonwealth?
I see no reason for the Dutch to actualy want that, especialy so shortly after the 80-year war. But I do believe that some kind of alliance could be made with England, if Cromwell is more reasonable in his acts of navigation. You probably need some external thread though. France was not yet the main enemy of both England and the Netherlands. Actualy it was kind of an ally. So maybe some Spanish threat could work. Maybe the 80-year war doesn't end in 1848. The end of the thirty year war means that the Spanish troops can focus more on the Netherlands and the Netherlands startsslowly losing more territory in the Southern part of the Netherlands (Holland and most of the core Netherlands is obviously still safe, but the war isn't going as well as is hoped). So the Netherlands needs allies. Cromwell decides to help and together they stop the Spanish and recover and conquer more of the Netherlands (maybe together with France they manage to remove the Spanish from the Netherlands). Since the Dutch and the ENglish foght side by side relations are far better. Colonial spheres are agreed upon (mainly in America, Asia is big enough) and a trade agreement is made
 
The main problem here is that both desire expansion in the same places - North America (because colonialism) and the East Indies (because money and spices (thus money)).

They are going to be rivals, and war between the two is extremely likely. Trade monopolies were just too tempting, and sometimes required military force to maintain.

Maybe the Netherlands accept Cromwell's invitation to unify with the Commonwealth?

All true, but the problem will always remain that the Netherlands wanted their independence, joinging with the Commonwealth would require both governments to agree to a unified system (I can't see Parliament and the Netherlands system co-existing very well).

In any manner that gives a reasonable balance of control, the English Commonwealth would control everything - if the Netherlands adopts a Parliamentary system, short of an ideological marriage, the English MPs would outnumber the Dutch. If you did it by the Counts - then the English equivalents would outnumber the Dutch. I can't see the Dutch being willing. Not without some decentralisation/veto clause.

What you would be more likely to succeed with is the "Joint Dutch and English East India Company" - where both the Netherlands and the English enjoy equal ownership. Having them both working together would create a trade juggernaut - to both sides benefit. Dangling this in front of the Dutch, or offering to base such a company under a unified Anglo-Dutch Commonwealth in Holland may be the best way to achieve a union. Especially if the board that runs said company is made up (initially) of equal members English and Dutch (specifically the Dutch Statholders)

Having an Anglo-Dutch Raj and Anglo-Dutch Indonesia is an interesting idea.

Oddly enough, the OPs desire is the best way to achieve the unity that they want.
 
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