The Dutch had always depended upon sea trade to keep their economy stable. The Netherlands was a limited resource country whose strength lay in their dominance of the seas. The economy of the Netherlands depended on their maintaining this dominance and remaining the strongest sea force in Europe. England had a very strong navy and was a source of much competition for the Dutch. England wanted the sea routes for themselves. The Anglo-Dutch Wars were fought over the possession of the seas and trade routes. They were fought between 1652 and 1684. At the end of the four Anglo-Dutch Wars, England ended up with sea control, and the Dutch were completely defeated.

The first Anglo-Dutch War lasted from 1652 until 1654. It was fought between the "Stadtholderless Dutch Republic" and "the Commonwealth of England." England gained control of the seas for the summer of 1653. This severely damaged Dutch business confidence and alarmed ship holders. The Dutch had always been very much in control of the waters, and were the center of trade for Europe. When it seemed as thought they were losing, their economy began to weaken as a result of Europe's sudden lack of business confidence. Luckily, for the Dutch and for Europe's businesses, the Stadtholderless Dutch Republic managed to retain control of the seas.

The second Anglo-Dutch War began in 1665, and lasted until 1667. Charles the II of England declared war on March 4th, 1665. At the start of the war, the English came on so strong that European states were once again faced with the prospect of total English domination of the seas. All through the summer of 1665, the English held the seas under their control. This damaged the business confidence of the Dutch severely once again. However, by 1667, the Dutch managed to regain control, and England had lost control of even their coastal waters to the Dutch. If England had controlled the North Sea any longer between 1665 and 1667, the Dutch economy would have been completely destroyed. One of the reasons that the Dutch managed to regain control of the waters was that in 1667, the plague broke out in England, greatly weakening the country. England was forced to surrender. The third Anglo-Dutch War began in 1672, and ended in 1674. All through the summer of 1672, the English controlled the seas. Once again, Dutch business confidence was greatly damaged. The Dutch were in danger of immense economic defeat, until they preformed an amazing naval campaign in 1672. This is what ensured their survival against the English. It forced Charles II by his own subjects, to quit the war in 1674.

The fourth and final Anglo-Dutch War took place from 1680 until 1684. This was the longest Anglo-Dutch War, and it continued until June 1st, 1784, when the English engaged a fleet of ships much larger than the Dutch one. The battle, which resulted, off Ostend, lasted four days. At the end of this battle, the Dutch over-seas trade was paralyzed, and their fleet completely destroyed. The Dutch lost 2,000 officers and men, which were killed and wounded. Finally, the English came out ahead and controlled the seas, ending all Anglo-Dutch wars.

It is rather ironic that, in 1688, the Dutch William III of Orange became King of England and the former English king, James II, was cast out because of immense dislike. William III of Orange was chosen for king because he was the closest relation to the English Royal Family. England still held sea control, but their ruler was Dutch.