This thesis examines the functionality of early modern Amsterdam as a diplomatic city. (Entities in) The Hague nominally held the political and geographical prerogative to diplomatic relations in...Show moreThis thesis examines the functionality of early modern Amsterdam as a diplomatic city. (Entities in) The Hague nominally held the political and geographical prerogative to diplomatic relations in the Dutch Republic, but Amsterdam was a significant challenger to this position due to its economic and financial agency. Various aspects, such as Amsterdam's interfence with diplomatic policy, its contacts with Dutch envoys abroad and the diplomatic community within Amsterdam itself, are elucidated. In particular, it explores the functionality of lesser envoys, such as consuls and agents, and the way they integrated themselves into urban society.Show less
This MA-Thesis follows the life of the Swedish diplomat in the Dutch Republic Harald Appelboom (1612-1674). An emphasis is put on the role of espionage in Appelbooms diplomatic career. The thesis...Show moreThis MA-Thesis follows the life of the Swedish diplomat in the Dutch Republic Harald Appelboom (1612-1674). An emphasis is put on the role of espionage in Appelbooms diplomatic career. The thesis argues that Appelbooms activities in intellegence were important in the development of his diplomatic career.Show less
Despite Hamburg's eminence as an imperial centre of commerce and diplomacy in the lead-up to the Congress of Westphalia, study of the city's own imperial politics and diplomacy has been harkened by...Show moreDespite Hamburg's eminence as an imperial centre of commerce and diplomacy in the lead-up to the Congress of Westphalia, study of the city's own imperial politics and diplomacy has been harkened by a shortage on source material. In general, historians have stressed Hamburg's tendency to fare a neutralist, autonomic and commerce-driven course. This study has set out to give a complete and positively defined interpretation of the city's diplomacy, assessing its political ambitions, diplomatic means and day-to-day manifestation at the Imperial Diet in Regensburg of 1640-1641 by way of the relatively complete correspondence between the Senate and its diplomats, as well as the financial accounts of the mission. In all, Hamburg’s access to government dignitaries and its use of the services of Imperial bureaucrats demonstrate a more versatile and active diplomatic involvement in Imperial diplomacy than perhaps envisioned earlier by scholars. Positively defined, its diplomacy operated at eye-level with that of the King of Denmark, using funds, support from the Electors and publication in a similar fashion and to a comparable degree. Hamburg’s engagement with the Empire’s dignitaries, bureaucrats, and institutions such as the Imperial Aulic Council show Hamburg’s ready use of the institutions of the Holy Roman Empire, and underline that in important respects the city was far from diplomatically isolated or disengaged with matters of Empire.Show less
This thesis reconsiders the modern debate about the Dutch Republic as a great power and the decline of that great power through new contemporary and social-constructivist perspectives, as opposed...Show moreThis thesis reconsiders the modern debate about the Dutch Republic as a great power and the decline of that great power through new contemporary and social-constructivist perspectives, as opposed to modern and objectivist perspectives. Through these new perspectives there are several propositions to narrow down the extremely broad debate about the Dutch Republic and her loss of great power status.Show less
