The Dutch Republic, also known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (), Republic of the United Netherlands or Republic of the Seven United Provinces (), was a republic in Europe existing from 1581, when part of the Netherlands separated from Spanish rule, until 1795. It preceded the Batavian Republic, the Kingdom of Holland, the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, and ultimately the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands. Alternative names include the United Provinces (), Federated Dutch Provinces (), and Dutch Federation ().