What if the Dutch Golden Age had gone differently?

A small republic becomes the 17th century's laboratory of finance, shipping, optics and painting.

If it had gone differently: The century's workshop of new institutions and instruments never opens; those inventions arrive slower and elsewhere.

The real history on Wikipedia ↗

Later turning points that leaned on the Dutch Golden Age. Change it in the game and the ripples reach all of these.

1. 1600The chartered East India companies. Without it, European trade with Asia stays a matter of small merchant convoys; no company-states, no gunboat empires.
2. 1600The Scientific Revolution. Without it, Natural philosophy stays deferential to the ancients; no method, no acceleration.
3. 1688The Glorious Revolution. Without it, The English crown keeps its arbitrary power over taxes and courts; property and lending stay risky.
4. 1694The Bank of England is founded. Without it, Capital stays scarce and expensive; there is no deep pool of credit for canals, mines and mills.