 Real advantages of the peace came in the economic field . As an open economy , the Republic needed unhindered trade . It was heavily dependent on exports of agricultural products to the British markets , and on its services sector ( especially its large merchant fleet , and the banking sector ) , whereas its industry ( whatever remained of it after a century of being confronted by foreign protectionism ) also was dependent on exports . All these sectors had suffered enormously from the war : the British blockade and French and British privateering had almost brought marine trade to a standstill , whereas a commercial treaty with France ( which would have ended French discrimination of Dutch trade in industrial goods ) proved an ever @-@ receding fata <unk> . True , much of the trade had shifted to flags of convenience ( especially that of the U.S.A. and European neutrals like Prussia ) , but the peace made the resurgence of the Dutch carrying trade fully practicable . Nevertheless , some changes proved irreversible , like the shift of trade patterns to German ports , and the decline of the fisheries . 
