Core Structure Worksheet #24
Thesis:
Using the two paintings above and historical knowledge of this time period, one can conclude that The Netherlands experienced a flourish in economics and culture known as its “Golden Age.” This “Golden Age” consisted of many revolutionary changes including economics, cultural influences, and new trading discoveries. These two paintings reflect on how each of these factors was affected in the seventeenth century.
- In the painting The Maas River at Dordrecht,
the large fleet of ships suggests to the viewer that the naval forces in the Netherlands had a large impact on the economy.
- The painting Woman with a Water Pitcher, reflects to the viewer that during the seventeenth century, the Netherlands consisted of mainly a bourgeoisie class.
- The painting The Maas River at Dordrecht, shows the viewer that the Netherlands had a leading trading society based on water routes and trading ports.
- (A.) The fleet of ships in this painting tell the
viewer that naval forces were an important factor of the economy in the Netherlands.
(B.) Although the Netherlands wanted to maintain a strong military, this led to a decline in the economy due to costly wars such as The Thirty Years War and The War of Spanish Succession.
(C.) Although having a large fleet of ships cost a lot of money, they got all that money back and then some by being the most powerful nation in trade and commerce.
(D.) The economy then flourished because the Netherlands had many exports including furniture, sugar, tobacco, weapons, and pottery, which brought in wealth to the country rather than imports which cost money.
(E.) Amsterdam became the richest city in Europe with a population over 100 thousand people.
- (A.) The woman in this painting represents a
woman in the extremely large bourgeoisie class, which affected many
cultural aspects of life in the Netherlands during the
seventeenth century.
(B.) Since the government was dominated by the bourgeoisie, their wealth and power limited that of the states’.
(C.) Religious tolerance led to a cosmopolitan society that encouraged and supported trade and commerce.
(D.) Daily life revolved around banking and commerce because the Netherlands had few national resources, so the middle class was dependent upon trade.
(E.) Netherlands was primarily a trading nation because of the many convenient ports and strong naval forces.
- (A.) This painting shows the large fleet of ships
in the Netherlands
that was of vital importance to the trading lifestyle.
(B.) The Netherlands became the most important mercantile nation in the seventeenth century.
(C.) Amsterdam became the banking and commercial center of Europe.
(D.) Dutch East India Company and Dutch West India Company became important posts on the trading lifestyle in the Netherlands.
(E.) Fishing was the cornerstone of the Dutch economy, revolving around trade.
Clincher Sentences:1. The “Golden Age” in the Netherlands had many economic events that are reflected in the two paintings shown.
2. Not only do these two paintings suggest economic factors in the Netherlands during the seventeenth century, but they also show many key ideas about the culture.
3. One of the most important factors that changed the culture in the Netherlands was a leading trade and commerce nation developed in the seventeenth century.
Conclusion:
The two paintings shown above reflect on the economy and culture in the Netherlands during the seventeenth century by representing key ideas that shape how life was in the Netherlands. Each painting represents the “Golden Age” in the Netherlands and how the economy and culture was affected by these radical changes.
