Get the Dutch in on the Crommonwellth. Just keep that dictator Orangist king alive, then the provinces could call upon Cromwell to oust him from the country. The extra income, colonies, navy could keep the regime afloat long enough for the next Cromwell to learn enough to become somewhat competent.
I think that for the rich merchants all stadholders would be Dictatorial wannebe kings they want to get rid of. Still I don't think that the stadholders weren't that bad compared to the other kings, Dukes, counts, etc. But a surviving Willem II leading to Dutch civil war between the stadholder (who wants to become king) and the merchant-regents (who want to rule themselves) could happen. And Cromwell could in theory intervene on the site of the rich merchants.Dictatorial Orangist King during Cromwells reign?![]()
I think that for the rich merchants all stadholders would be Dictatorial wannebe kings they want to get rid of. Still I don't think that the stadholders weren't that bad compared to the other kings, Dukes, counts, etc. But a surviving Willem II leading to Dutch civil war between the stadholder (who wants to become king) and the merchant-regents (who want to rule themselves) could happen. And Cromwell could in theory intervene on the site of the rich merchants.
I don't see why the regents would ever ask Cromwell for help against Willem II. IIRC Willem II's (just like all the other Oranjes) powerbase were the poor, 'landlocked' provinces. Gelderland and the likes. All piss-poor, certainly compared to Holland which basically payed for the whole 80 years war by itself. The Army would disintegrate while the Amsterdam merchants would earn alot of money on the seas. I think a secession is much more likely. Holland, Zeeland and (maybe) Utrecht on their own? Johan DeWitts wet fantasy come true. I really doubt that the Amsterdam merchants (who would be calling the shots) would ever ask one of their biggest enemies (Cromwell) for help.
Probably true. I can't see them asking for the help of Cromwell unless they are losing the civil war. Maybe Cromwell just decides to help them without asking them (in other words just tries to conquer the Netherlands).
Anyway secession is the stupidest thing Holland and Zeeland could do. It would basicly mean the end of an independent Netherlands the moment some continental power rises (most likely France). But those merchants never had a bit foresight in them and only cared about making money, not the good of the nation, so it probably happens.
Well, Johan de Witt tried to sell the eastern provinces to the Emperor. The idea was to keep Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht behind the Waterlinie. The Waterlinie did stop France in the Disasteryear of 1672 when the Catholics in the Eastern provinces welcomed the French en masse. A United Republic of Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht might even delay the decay of the 1700s because we wouldn't have a Stadholder with a grudge against France (My favourit Stadholder of all times, Willem III).
I can't see them asking for the help of Cromwell unless they are losing the civil war.