Dutch Superpower

[Michael B]

First step is that they unify the entire region of Holland(Netherlans, Belgium, and Luexembourg) under a single empire. The Dutch Empire then procedes to enter divided Germany, picking off the weak states one by one until they are in control of it all. This all happens in the 1600's. By 1700, the Dutch Empire and France go to war over colonial rights. Extra troops from Germany win the Dutch the war(as well as English support) and northern France falls. Take it from there....

The French aren't going to wait until the Dutch have all of noerthern Germany. Expect the first of many clashes in the mid to late 1600s.

 

[Tizoc]

The Dutch having Ruhr would help them a lot to become a true superpower - Dutch Krupp, anyone?

 

[Grimm Reaper]

How about Holland plays a larger and successful role in the 30 Years War, and is awarded what is now Belgium and Luxemborg(the latter actually was Dutch for a time)? In the early 18th century change a marriage or two and have Greater Holland merge with Hanover, absorbing a quarter of what would have been Germany. Meanwhile a larger scale of immigrant leaves the Dutch Cape Colony too much for England to hold in the Napoleonic Wars and...

 

[TotrueTufaar]

The Dutch in Guiana and Brazil would probably spread out, and they might make a colony of OTL Oman. The former Kingdom of the Islands might be annexed, and the Holy Land might face invasion.