Maritime Supremacy & the Opening of the Western Mind

A book on the how the merchant and royal interests married in the sea gave birth to a new world. Push to take over international commerce brings European countries to loggerheads and war is inevitable. It is easy to loose track how many wars are fought since alliances are broken at and allies become enemies, and to a surprising end allies and enemies rotate between the French, Spanish, English and Dutch in all the multiple wars.

The Spanish with their fleet (Armada) are the first maritime superpowers and are soon dethrones by the Dutch regents who want her rich colonies in the Americas. They thus build bigger warships, reform their society to suit merchant needs and say goodbye to Catholicism. Thence the English grow weary and jealous of Dutch commerce - resolution is having privateers plunder Dutch warships and war breaks out.
The war leads both countries to debt and France emerges as the dominant maritime and commercial powerhouse. British and Dutch become jealous alliance is formed and war breakout.

This cycle of growth in trade in one country and war with other countries goes on through 200 years but it was not all for nothing. The much enjoyed Bill of Rights in most constitutions came from this era when William III invaded England to claim the throne and supported by disloyal parliament
wrist who only pledged their allegiance if a law would be passed to limit the powers of the Crown. This law enacted on 13 February 1689 known as ‘An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subjects and Setting the Succession of the Crown' became the Bill of Rights.

The concept of individuality also emerges from this era in England when many wars and allies breaking their trust led to people shifting true love/allegience to individuals as Jonathan Swift put it. “I have ever hated all nations, professions and communities, all my love is towards individuals”. Perhaps the best anecdote in the book is when on 22 May 1670, King Loius XIV of France offers Charles II King of England £100,000 to convert to Catholicism in order to guarantee him support against the Dutch.