Now that wars were being fought, the security of the Republic was also being threatened. In order to have peace and protection against France and England, the government would have to raise taxes. Because Holland was the main and only wealthy province, the Dutch Republic could not run efficiently. Document 4 states that the government of the Dutch Republic was shattered and that Holland would have to pay for the war because the other provinces couldn’t afford it. Document 4 was written by an English ambassador so the reliability of the document is questionable. George Downing was reporting to the English government, so he could’ve been telling them what they wanted to hear. The Dutch government tried recruiting men to fight against the French armies, but there was no money to support them (document 10). The only citizens that could help pay money that was necessary for war, were the citizens of Amsterdam. It is known that Amsterdam was a place filled with merchants, and they were not happy with the Dutch government. Merchants wanted peace and protection, but they weren’t willing to pay for it or volunteer themselves to protect their country. Citizens did not want to be turned into soldiers and they wanted low taxes (document 5). This document shows that unity in Holland was becoming
Now that wars were being fought, the security of the Republic was also being threatened. In order to have peace and protection against France and England, the government would have to raise taxes. Because Holland was the main and only wealthy province, the Dutch Republic could not run efficiently. Document 4 states that the government of the Dutch Republic was shattered and that Holland would have to pay for the war because the other provinces couldn’t afford it. Document 4 was written by an English ambassador so the reliability of the document is questionable. George Downing was reporting to the English government, so he could’ve been telling them what they wanted to hear. The Dutch government tried recruiting men to fight against the French armies, but there was no money to support them (document 10). The only citizens that could help pay money that was necessary for war, were the citizens of Amsterdam. It is known that Amsterdam was a place filled with merchants, and they were not happy with the Dutch government. Merchants wanted peace and protection, but they weren’t willing to pay for it or volunteer themselves to protect their country. Citizens did not want to be turned into soldiers and they wanted low taxes (document 5). This document shows that unity in Holland was becoming