Page 54 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

52  INTRODUCING THE NE THERLANDS

The Dutch Trading Empire

The early 17th century marked a period of expansion
worldwide for northern Holland. Within a few decades, the
Levant, the Gulf of Guinea, the Caribbean, North and South
America, the East Indies, Persia, Arabia, Japan, India and
China were all on the Dutch trading routes. The republic’s
merchant fleet became the world’s largest. The powerful
Dutch East India Company (VOC), established in 1602,
dominated trade with Asia, with a monopoly on all profits Dealers on the Stock Exchange
from trade east of the Cape of Good Hope, while the Dutch With its market traders and
exchange, Amsterdam was
West India Company, established in 1621, concentrated on the undisputed trading centre
the New World and the slave trade. of Europe.

1625 The Dutch
found New
Amsterdam, later to
become New York
Purchase of Manhattan
Pieter Minnewit bought
Manhattan Island in 1625
from the Delaware Indians
for 60 guilders, 10 guns and
a brass cauldron.
1667 Abraham
Crijnssen conquers
Suriname
1627 Prince Maurits
conquers Recife

1652 Jan van de Riebeeck
founds Cape Town

The Dutch on Desjima
The Dutch trading office on
the island of Desjima was in Key
1854 the main conduit 1595–7 De Houtman and Keyzer
between Japan and the world.
1596–7 Barents and Heemskerck
1616 Le Maire and Schouten
1642–3 Tasman

VOC Plaque
The Dutch East India Company
(VOC) obtained sole rights to
trade for the republic in Asia. It The Silver Fleet
had the authority to make In 1628, Piet Hein captured
treaties with other powers and the Silver Fleet of Spain off
even to declare war. the north coast of Cuba.

052-053_EW_Netherlands.indd 52 16/01/17 12:03 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm