Editing Anglo–Dutch wars (section)

=== Fourth war: 1780–1784 ===
{{Main|Fourth Anglo-Dutch War}}
In 1688, the Dutch feared that England might align with France in the upcoming [[Nine Years' War]], potentially repeating the crisis of 1672. To prevent this, [[William III of England|William of Orange]], making use of an [[Invitation to William|invitation]] from seven influential and discontented Englishmen, led a Dutch invasion force that landed at [[Torbay]] in [[Devon]]. From there, he marched on London and successfully deposed [[James II of England]]. While occupying London with his troops William was placed on the English throne, on the basis of the [[Bill of Rights 1689|Bill of Rights]], alongside his English wife [[Mary II of England|Mary]]. His reign ended further Anglo-Dutch conflicts and both states joined forces to fight the expansionist policies of [[Louis XIV of France]].{{Sfn|Van Nimwegen|2020|p=183–185}} Though remaining allies, England (and after 1707, [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]]) quickly surpassed the Dutch in military and economic power. From roughly 1720 onwards, Dutch economic growth experienced a significant decline, and in 1780, the ''per capita'' [[gross national income]] of Britain surpassed their Dutch counterparts, leading to rising levels of resentment from the latter.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

The [[Diplomatic Revolution]] brought this to light and during the following [[Seven Years' War]] the Dutch remained neutral. When Britain's North American colonies [[American Revolutionary War|revolted against British rule]] in 1776, the Dutch provided indirect support to the rebels, angering the British, who eventually [[Fourth Anglo-Dutch War|declared war]] on the Dutch in 1780. By this point, the Dutch navy had severely weakened, possessing only 20 [[Ship of the line|ships of the line]]. The conflict consisted mostly of a series of successful British operations against [[Dutch Empire|Dutch colonial interests]], though one [[fleet action]] took place at the [[Battle of Dogger Bank (1781)|battle of Dogger Bank]] on 5 August 1781, which was indecisive. The war ended in a conclusive British victory and exposed the weakness of the political and economic foundations of the Dutch Republic, leading to instability and [[Patriottentijd|revolution]].{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}