The Franco-Dutch War [ b ] was a European conflict that lasted from to Fighting began in May when France nearly overran the Netherlands , an event remembered in Dutch history as the Rampjaar , or "Disaster Year".
However, by late July their position had stabilised, while in concern over French gains brought support from Emperor Leopold I , Spain and Brandenburg-Prussia. England exited the war and made peace with the Dutch in February Having sought a quick and overwhelming victory, Louis XIV of France now faced war on multiple fronts. He changed focus, instead strengthening his borders with the Spanish Netherlands and Rhineland , while the Allies led by William of Orange sought to minimise any losses.
Though France failed to conquer the Dutch Republic, the September Peace of Nijmegen is often seen as the high point of French power in this period. Under William of Orange, the Dutch recovered all the territory lost at the beginning, making him dominant in domestic politics. This position helped him create the anti-French Grand Alliance that fought in the to Nine Years' War , and subsequent to War of the Spanish Succession.
Preserving this monopoly was a Dutch priority, but this increasingly clashed with French aims in the Spanish Netherlands , which included reopening Antwerp. William II of Orange 's death in led to the First Stadtholderless Period , with political control vested in the urban patricians or Regenten. This maximised the influence of the States of Holland and Amsterdam, the power base of Johan de Witt , Grand Pensionary from to He viewed his relationship with Louis XIV of France as crucial for preserving Dutch economic power, but also to protect him from his domestic Orangist opponents.
Although France and the Republic concluded an assistance treaty in , the States of Holland refused to support a division of the Spanish Netherlands, convincing Louis his objectives could only be achieved by force.
