Just an idea: WI William II, Prince of Orange, doesn't die from smallpox in November 1650, but instead lives until his 60's, like his father (that means until 1686 at least)? How no Stadtholderless Period would affect the Netherlands?
More stable? Really, really doubt it. If anything a Civil War is much more likely.
Probably a more stable Netherlands?
Also, he probably would have gotten more children than only Willem III, so I guess Lingen and Moers would remain Dutch/within the Dutch sphere of influence.
Besides that Willem II wanted to enlarge the Netherlands. He opposed the peace treaty at the end of the eighty year war and was planning an renewed attack on the southern Netherlands with France before he died.
Hmm, that would have interesting consequences if a Glorious Revolution still happen in England.
BTW, how likely would be for the Anglo-Dutch Wars still to happen?
You should realise this happened just after the 80 year war. Spain was still seen as the enemy (at least by Willem II). France had been an ally against that enemy during the last years of the war against Spain. France wasn't the big bad it would become later. Actually I have even read that one of the reasons Louis XIV disliked the Dutch, was because they refused to devide the Southern Netherlands with France.Wait, he wanted a land border with France?
You should realise this happened just after the 80 year war. Spain was still seen as the enemy (at least by Willem II). France had been an ally against that enemy during the last years of the war against Spain. France wasn't the big bad it would become later. Actually I have even read that one of the reasons Louis XIV disliked the Dutch, was because they refused to devide the Southern Netherlands with France.
So, we could have a Franco-Dutch alliance against Spain in the early 1650's, with England supporting the Spanish (due to William's conflict with Cromwell)?
First the powerstruggle between the stadholders and the rich merchants/regents must end. The merchant opposed a renewed war with Spain and were the driving force of the peace with Spain. Maybe we could see first a Dutch civil war between the merchants, supported by republican Englan, and the stadholders, supported by France (and the English royal family in exile), which leads to a Franco-Dutch alliance opposing the English and Spanish.So, we could have a Franco-Dutch alliance against Spain in the early 1650's, with England supporting the Spanish (due to William's conflict with Cromwell)?
First the powerstruggle between the stadholders and the rich merchants/regents must end. The merchant opposed a renewed war with Spain and were the driving force of the peace with Spain. Maybe we could see first a Dutch civil war between the merchants, supported by republican Englan, and the stadholders, supported by France (and the English royal family in exile), which leads to a Franco-Dutch alliance opposing the English and Spanish.
Although I do wonder if that alliance holds. I wonder how long France would postpone it Rhineborder for an alliance with the Netherlands.
Interesting. Would this civil war would delay the Dutch conquests in Asia or make it less successful? Most of the Eastern Dutch colonies were taken from the Portuguese after 1650.
They got one anyway, but it would probably happen earlier. The rivalry between Amsterdam and the Hague (simplified explanation) couldn't be solved without armed conflict.More stable? Really, really doubt it. If anything a Civil War is much more likely.