in december 1780, the british empire declared war on the dutch republic for intending to join the first league of armed neutrality, through which the dutch sought to secure their right to trade with the american colonies in revolt. this fourth anglo-dutch war was a disaster for the netherlands, putting a heavy burden on the dutch economy because of the british naval blockade. orangists blamed the always obstructive city of amsterdam, but patriot pamphleteers opined stadtholder william v of orange and his accomplices were the real perpetrators. they sought an alliance with america and france against britain (and prussia).