The Dutch Empire is one of the most successful stories in history. Think of them as the Mongols of this period. They arise from an obscure location on the map to dominate a huge chunk of the globe. Their empire size itself is not massive. But, the Dutch aren’t here to take over the world. They have one thing on the mind: TRADE. They will have some long term colonizational tendencies in some places (coughINDONESIAcough). But, think of them as the shiny, sleek, new empire with the greatest Trading Company in history (VOC) and exclusive access to the Japanese markets. Don’t think of the Dutch as Conquistadors carrying bibles to convert the heathens; rather, see them as business men on a mission for profits and trade throughout the Indian Ocean Trade Network… These are the Dutch:

1. DUTCH
2. NETHERLANDS
3. JOINT STOCK COMPANY
4. V.O.C.
5. JAKARTA

1. WILL ADAMS MEETS WITH TOKUGAWA IEYASU (1600), Will Adams
2. SAKOKU EDICT OF 1635 (1635), Tokugawa Iemetsu
3. JAPANESE EXCLUSION OF THE PORTUGUESE (1639), Tokugawa Iemetsu
4.
5.

1. THE COURTYARD OF HENDRICK KEYSER FAIR (FUTURE HOME TO THE DUTCH STOCK MARKET) (1611)

2. JAPANESE PORCELAIN PLATE FEATURING THE VOC LOGO (1634)

3. THE ARRIVAL OF KING CHARLES II OF ENGLAND IN ROTTERDAM (1660) (He arrived on VOC ships and received VOC ships as gifts)

4. BATAVIA, CAPITAL OF THE DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY (TODAY, JAKARTA, INDONESIA) (1780)

5. ANONYMOUS PAINTING OF VOC FLEET OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA (1760)

1. This is it for the Dutch.
2. They don’t come up again.
3. They have a nice empire built on the back of the VOC (Dutch East India Company).
4. The VOC is the most successful business of all time.
5. Although they have more land, focus them in Indonesia where they will have the most impact.