 De Witt's position was further strengthened by increasing Dutch dominance in international trade, which replaced English trade with Spain and its possessions in Italy and America during the Anglo-Spanish War.Once the Netherlands had supplanted England on these areas, its traders were very reluctant to see English rivals readmitted.After the First Anglo-Dutch War Johan de Witt, who had been elected Grand Pensionary of Holland, took over effective control of Netherlands' foreign policy until his death in 1672.