The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783. A. T. Mahan

Purpose of the historical narrative 89 CHAPTER II. State of Europe in 1660.—Second Anglo-Dutch War, 1665–1667.—Sea Battles of Lowestoft and of the Four Days Accession of Charles II. and Louis XIV. 90 Followed shortly by general wars 91 French policy formulated by Henry IV. and Richelieu 92 Condition of France in 1660 93 Condition of Spain 94 Condition of the Dutch United Provinces 96 Their commerce and colonies 97 Character of their government 98 Parties in the State 99 Condition of England in 1660 99 Characteristics of French, English, and Dutch ships 101 Conditions of other European States 102 Louis XIV. the leading personality in Europe 103 His policy 104 Colbert's administrative acts 105 Second Anglo-Dutch War, 1665 107 Battle of Lowestoft, 1665 108 Fire-ships, compared with torpedo-cruisers 109 The group formation 112 The order of battle for sailing-ships 115 The Four Days' Battle, 1666 117 Military merits of the opposing fleets 126 Soldiers commanding fleets, discussion 127 Ruyter in the Thames, 1667 132 Peace of Breda, 1667 132 Military value of commerce-destroying 132 CHAPTER III. War of England and France in Alliance against the United Provinces, 1672–1674.—Finally, of France against Combined Europe, 1674–1678.—Sea Battles of Solebay, the Texel, and Stromboli. Aggressions of Louis XIV. on Spanish Netherlands 139 Policy of the United Provinces 139 Triple alliance between England, Holland, and Sweden 140 Anger of Louis XIV. 140 Leibnitz proposes to Louis to seize Egypt 141 His memorial 142 Bargaining between Louis XIV. and Charles II. 143 The two kings declare war against the United Provinces 144 Military character of this war 144 Naval strategy of the Dutch 144 Tactical combinations of De Ruyter 145 Inefficiency of Dutch naval administration 145 Battle of Solebay, 1672 146 Tactical comments 147 Effect of the battle on the course of the war 148 Land campaign of the French in Holland 149 Murder of John De Witt, Grand Pensionary of Holland 150 Accession to power of William of Orange 150 Uneasiness among European States 150 Naval battles off Schoneveldt, 1673 151 Naval battle of the Texel, 1673 152 Effect upon the general war 154 Equivocal action of the French fleet 155 General ineffectiveness of maritime coalitions 156 Military character of De Ruyter 157 Coalition against France 158