Formally called the
Vereenigde Oost-indische Compagnie[United East-India Company], the Company was founded in 1602 to develop and defend the growing Dutch trade with the East Indies, especially the highly lucrative trade in spices. The Company took advantage of the weakening power of Spain and Portugal, and was supported by the Dutch States General as a military means for reducing the influence of Spain and Portugal (at this time a united monarchy) over the Spanish Netherlands. The Dutch Companies benefited from state support, an aggressive mandate and the superiority of its maritime technology, and became a phenomenal success. At its apogee around 1660, the Company had 150 armed merchantmen, employed 10,000 soldiers, and paid dividends of 40%. The success of the Company enabled it to…
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Citation: Clark, Robert. "Dutch East India Company, Dutch West India Company". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 May 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1730, accessed 23 November 2024.]
