Most of the Low Countries had come under the rule of the House of Burgundy and subsequently the House of Habsburg. In 1549 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V issued the Pragmatic Sanction, which further unified the Seventeen Provinces under his rule. Charles was succeeded by his son, King Philip II of Spain. In 1568 the Netherlands, led by William I of Orange, revolted against Philip II because of high taxes, persecution of Protestants by the government, and Philip's efforts to modernize and centralize the devolved-medieval government structures of the provinces. This was the start of the Eighty Years' War. COUNT 4
QSN1 The majority of the Low Countries were ruled by which houses? ANS1 the House of Burgundy and subsequently the House of Habsburg QSN2 Who issued the Pragmatic Sanction? ANS2 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V QSN3 In what year did the Netherlands rise up against Philip II? ANS3 1568 QSN4 Why did the people of the Netherlands rise up against Philip II? ANS4 high taxes, persecution of Protestants by the government, and Philip's efforts to modernize and centralize the devolved-medieval government structures of the provinces