ANGLO-DUTCH WARS

or Dutch Wars

Four naval conflicts between England and the Dutch Republic in the 17th–18th century.

The First (1652–54), Second (1665–67), and Third (1672–74) Anglo-Dutch Wars all arose from commercial rivalry between the two nations, and victories by England established its naval might. The two countries had been allied for a century when the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War (1780–84) broke out over Dutch interference in the American Revolution . By 1784 the Dutch Republic had declined dramatically in power and prestige.