The Dutch Revolt 1559-1648 begins by illustrating the historical background and causes of the revolt. This is followed by chronological sections devoted to each phase of the revolt and an assesment section that takes a more thematic approach, looking at the military, economic, political and constitutional issues.

Part One The Background; Chapter 1 Historical Background; Part Two Descriptive Analysis; Chapter 2 Prelude to Revolt, 1559-1566; Chapter 3 The First Revolt, 1566-1568; Chapter 4 Alva's Regime and the Second Revolt, 1568-1576; Chapter 5 From Fragile Unity to Deepening Crisis: the Break-up of the Netherlands, 1576-1584; Chapter 6 The Birth of the Dutch Republic to the Twelve Years' Truce, 1584-1609; Chapter 7 The Twelve Years' Truce, 1609-1621; Chapter 8 War with Spain, 1621-1648; Part Three Assessment; Chapter 9 The Economics of Revolt; Chapter 10 Military Aspects of the Revolt; Chapter 11 Political and Constitutional Issues: was the Dutch Revolt a Revolution?partFour Documents;