First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars

The Anglo-Dutch wars were a series of four conflicts fought between the Dutch Republic and England/Great Britain from 1652 to 1784, with most battles being naval engagements. The first three wars were fought over trade and colonial expansion, with the Dutch emerging victorious in the second and third wars, but suffering a profound humiliation in the fourth war, which took place a century later. During the fourth war, Britain's Royal Navy, which had become the world's most powerful maritime force, captured most of the Dutch colonial empire and annihilated much of the Dutch navy.learn more on wikipedia