Kettle War
Encyclopedia
The Kettle War is the nickname given to a short war or incident between the troops of the Republic of the Seven Netherlands
and the Holy Roman Empire
that began on 8 October 1784. It was named the Kettle War since the only shot fired during it hit a soup kettle.
After the Dutch Revolt
, the northern Netherlands formed their own republic. The southern Netherlands remained with Spain. Since 1585, the Northern Netherlands had closed off the Scheldt
, so that the harbours of Antwerp and Ghent
could not be reached by trade ships, and this remained so after the Revolt. This gave an enormous impulse to the economy of the Northern Netherlands (namely Amsterdam), but the southern cities were dislodged from their important trading position. The closure of the Scheldt was confirmed by the Peace of Westphalia
in 1648, to which the Spanish agreed. After the War of the Spanish Succession
, the Spanish Netherlands had been ceded to Austria by the Treaty of Rastatt
in 1714.
Since Europe's 'Diplomatic Revolution
' of 1756, Austria, and therefore also the Austrian Netherlands, had been in alliance with France. Prussia, formerly France's ally, entered into alliance with Britain. The change, sensational at the time, made nonsense of all the strategic assumptions and plans, current since 1713, based on the premisses that the south Netherlands would serve as a barrier between the Republic and France and that the Republic's security depended on close ties with Austria and Britain. It was a shift which undoubtedly made it ever more attractive for the Dutch to remain neutral in any conflicts between both Britain and France, and Austria and Prussia.
, taking advantage of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch war, demanded the final dismantling of the Barrier system
, and in 1784, he demanded the return of territory in the Overmaas and States Flanders, as well as Dutch evacuation of Maastricht
and the reopening of the Scheldt. This happened shortly after the Treaty of Paris
. The Holy Roman Empire was supported by Britain, the Republic's enemy in the recent war. France supported the Dutch. Although the Belgian Army was not equipped very well, with a lack on artillery and supply, the emperor decided to go in war. Convinced that the Netherlands would not dare react, Joseph II had three ships (including the merchant ship "Le Louis" with the emperor's flag) sail from Antwerp for the Scheldt.
On 9 October 1784, (in a letter to Benjamin Franklin
) the war seemed inevitable. That day the "Dolfijn" was sent out, and after only one shot, that hit a kettle, "Le Louis" surrendered. On 30 October the emperor declared the war. On 18 November, the States of Holland
reacted: the Count of Salm was asked to form a small army. The patriots
used the incident for political propaganda
and organized more Exercitiegenootschap
pen all over the country. The Admiralty of Friesland
offered two new warships, but they were unable to leave the port of Harlingen
and dismantled.
According to the Annual Register for the year 1784 1785 Dolfijn needed a full broadside of seven guns to stop Le Louis. Austrian forces invaded dutch territory, razed a custom station and strongly occupied the old fort at Lillo, at the time used as vegetable garden.
The garrison of Lillo broke the dikes inundating a large area drowning many people according to reports.
On 13 February 1785, the Dutch ambassador Van Berckel wrote an extended letter to John Jay
, in which he explained the situation.
. It was decided that the Scheldt would remain closed to shipping, but that the Southern Netherlands would be compensated for this by the Republic. At a rough estimate the Republic paid 2 million guilder (according to other sources 10 million guilder). Much later on, definitive agreements were made between Belgium and the Netherlands about accessing the Scheldt. The war contributed to the decline and fall of Duke Louis Ernest of Brunswick-Lüneburg
, advisor to the Dutch stadholder but accused of favouring their imperial enemy due to familial connections to Joseph.
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
and the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
that began on 8 October 1784. It was named the Kettle War since the only shot fired during it hit a soup kettle.
Background
Dutch Revolt
The Dutch Revolt or the Revolt of the Netherlands This article adopts 1568 as the starting date of the war, as this was the year of the first battles between armies. However, since there is a long period of Protestant vs...
, the northern Netherlands formed their own republic. The southern Netherlands remained with Spain. Since 1585, the Northern Netherlands had closed off the Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
, so that the harbours of Antwerp and Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
could not be reached by trade ships, and this remained so after the Revolt. This gave an enormous impulse to the economy of the Northern Netherlands (namely Amsterdam), but the southern cities were dislodged from their important trading position. The closure of the Scheldt was confirmed by the Peace of Westphalia
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October of 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the...
in 1648, to which the Spanish agreed. After the War of the Spanish Succession
War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
, the Spanish Netherlands had been ceded to Austria by the Treaty of Rastatt
Treaty of Rastatt
The Treaty of Rastatt of 7 March 1714, ended hostilities between France and Austria at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession. It complemented the Treaty of Utrecht, which had, the previous year, ended hostilities with Britain and the Dutch Republic...
in 1714.
Since Europe's 'Diplomatic Revolution
Diplomatic Revolution
The Diplomatic Revolution of 1756 is a term applied to the reversal of longstanding diplomatic alliances which were upheld until the War of the Austrian Succession and then reversed in the Seven Years' War; the shift has also been known as "the great change of partners"...
' of 1756, Austria, and therefore also the Austrian Netherlands, had been in alliance with France. Prussia, formerly France's ally, entered into alliance with Britain. The change, sensational at the time, made nonsense of all the strategic assumptions and plans, current since 1713, based on the premisses that the south Netherlands would serve as a barrier between the Republic and France and that the Republic's security depended on close ties with Austria and Britain. It was a shift which undoubtedly made it ever more attractive for the Dutch to remain neutral in any conflicts between both Britain and France, and Austria and Prussia.
Course
In 1781 Joseph II, Holy Roman EmperorJoseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
, taking advantage of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch war, demanded the final dismantling of the Barrier system
Barrier Treaty
The "Barrier Treaties" were the names of three agreements signed and ratified during or immediately after the War of Spanish Succession.-First:...
, and in 1784, he demanded the return of territory in the Overmaas and States Flanders, as well as Dutch evacuation of Maastricht
Maastricht
Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse river in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, on the Belgian border and near the German border...
and the reopening of the Scheldt. This happened shortly after the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on the one hand and the United States of America and its allies on the other. The other combatant nations, France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements; for details of...
. The Holy Roman Empire was supported by Britain, the Republic's enemy in the recent war. France supported the Dutch. Although the Belgian Army was not equipped very well, with a lack on artillery and supply, the emperor decided to go in war. Convinced that the Netherlands would not dare react, Joseph II had three ships (including the merchant ship "Le Louis" with the emperor's flag) sail from Antwerp for the Scheldt.
On 9 October 1784, (in a letter to Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
) the war seemed inevitable. That day the "Dolfijn" was sent out, and after only one shot, that hit a kettle, "Le Louis" surrendered. On 30 October the emperor declared the war. On 18 November, the States of Holland
States of Holland
The States of Holland and West Frisia were the representation of the two Estates to the court of the Count of Holland...
reacted: the Count of Salm was asked to form a small army. The patriots
Patriots (faction)
The Patriots were a political faction in the Dutch Republic in the second half of the 18th century. They were led by Joan van der Capellen tot den Pol, gaining power from November 1782....
used the incident for political propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
and organized more Exercitiegenootschap
Exercitiegenootschap
An exercitiegenootschap or militia was a military organisation in the 18th century Netherlands, in the form of an armed private organization with a democratically chosen administration, aiming to train the citizens and the lower bourgeoisie in use of muskets...
pen all over the country. The Admiralty of Friesland
Admiralty of Friesland
The Admiralty of Friesland or Frisian Admiralty was one of the five admiralties of the Dutch Republic...
offered two new warships, but they were unable to leave the port of Harlingen
Harlingen
Harlingen may mean:* Harlingen, Netherlands, a municipality and city in the province of Friesland* Harlingen, Texas, a city in the United States* Harlingen, New Jersey, an unincorporated village in Montgomery Township, New Jersey, United States...
and dismantled.
According to the Annual Register for the year 1784 1785 Dolfijn needed a full broadside of seven guns to stop Le Louis. Austrian forces invaded dutch territory, razed a custom station and strongly occupied the old fort at Lillo, at the time used as vegetable garden.
The garrison of Lillo broke the dikes inundating a large area drowning many people according to reports.
On 13 February 1785, the Dutch ambassador Van Berckel wrote an extended letter to John Jay
John Jay
John Jay was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, a Founding Father of the United States, and the first Chief Justice of the United States ....
, in which he explained the situation.
Results
As a consequence of this short skirmish, and under the mediation of France, negotiations were reopened between the countries. This led in 1785 to the Treaty of FontainebleauTreaty of Fontainebleau (1785)
The Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed on November 8, 1785 in Fontainebleau between Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, ruler of the Habsburg Monarchy, and the States-General of the United Provinces. Based on the terms of the accord, the United Provinces was permitted to maintain sovereignty over the...
. It was decided that the Scheldt would remain closed to shipping, but that the Southern Netherlands would be compensated for this by the Republic. At a rough estimate the Republic paid 2 million guilder (according to other sources 10 million guilder). Much later on, definitive agreements were made between Belgium and the Netherlands about accessing the Scheldt. The war contributed to the decline and fall of Duke Louis Ernest of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Duke Louis Ernest of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Louis Ernest of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Bevern was a field-marshal in the armies of the Holy Roman Empire and the Dutch Republic...
, advisor to the Dutch stadholder but accused of favouring their imperial enemy due to familial connections to Joseph.