The highest executive office of the Dutch Republic was the stadholder. TDuring the age of economic growth in Spain, a vast number of Spaniard left the religious orders. TDon Quixote represents the glory that was Spain in the 17th century. FIn Don Quixote, Sancho Panza respresents the Spanish aristocracy. FTo Cervantes,the entire world of Don Quixote is schizophrenic. TThe "romances of chivalry" were historical accounts of Spanish greatness. FThe "romances of chivalry" were popular with the Spanish reading public because they recalled the greatness that Spain had once experienced. TSpain had been a world power under the reign of Charles V but had gone into a decline afterwards. TSpanish hard times in the 17th century were partly due to inept fiscal policies pursued by the government. TThe Habsburg rulers of Spain were strong, effective monarchs. FThe "Golden Age" of the Dutch Republic is said to have existed in the second quarter of the 17th century. TReluctantly, in the early 17th century, the Dutch severed their relations with Spain and became independent. FIn the book Don Quixote, the hero is the author. TThe seventeenth century Dutch had one of the most repressive societies in Europe. FThe Dutch East India Company, founded in 1602, created the basis for the Dutch empire in Southeast Asia. TOne way to guage the prosperity of the Dutch merchants is to look at paintings of the 17th century, which tend to show their comfortable lifestyle. TThe Dutch toleration for differing religious beliefs resulted in wealthy people of various persuasions moving to Holland and contributing to its economy growth. TThe Dutch established a colony in North America but they lost it to the English under Charles II. TThe Dutch Republic was a male dominated society: women were not allowed to be part of the commercial and industrial life of the country. FSome of the best known 17th century Dutch painters were Rembrandt, Vermeer, de Hooch and Cuyp. T
