Abstract
The rebellion of the Netherlands against ruling Spain was, in the end, a success leading to complete independence in 1648, with the Treaties of Den Haag and of Westphalia. All the Northern provinces of the "Spanish Netherlands" became fully independent, forming the United Provinces. A major European power such as Spain didn't succeed in its attempt to re-establish its supremacy on a small country, strongly divided by distinctive local identities, religion and several other trends. Why did Spain fail to regain full control of its possessions? Was it to weak to do it or was the rebellion movement too strong and deeply rooted to be stopped and annihilated? What were the main errors made by the Spaniards in their struggle for supremacy in the Low Countries? Did Spain have any chances to crush the rebellion?
