The Act of Cession of 1598 is generally considered as a Habsburg failure, for it did notsucceed in the pacification and reunification of the Low Countries. By looking into thenegotiations surrounding the cession, and more specifically the arguments used to acceptor denounce the change of power from the Spanish King to the Archdukes, this articletries to uncover the reasons for its lack of success. Whilst the loyal provinces benefittedfrom extended cooperation with the dynasty, the United Provinces were not prepared torejoin Habsburg rule. This divide followed out of the growing state formation in bothparts of the Low Countries, which entailed uncomplimentary concepts of statehood.
