The statement that "The Netherlands was a united country by the sixteenth century" is False.
1. Explanation:
- The Netherlands as we know it today was not a united country in the sixteenth century. During that time, the region now known as the Netherlands consisted of several separate provinces and territories, each with its own rulers and governments.
2. Historical Context:
- In the sixteenth century, the Low Countries, which included the territories that now make up the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, were part of the Habsburg Empire ruled by the Spanish Habsburgs.
- The Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, which began in the late sixteenth century, eventually led to the independence of the northern provinces, forming the Dutch Republic in the early seventeenth century.
3. Timeline:
- The Union of Utrecht in 1579 marked a significant step towards the independence of the northern provinces, leading to the formation of the Dutch Republic.
- The southern provinces remained under Spanish control until the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which recognized the independence of the Dutch Republic.
In conclusion, the Netherlands was not a united country by the sixteenth century. The process of unification and independence took place over several decades, culminating in the formation of the Dutch Republic in the early seventeenth century.
