The Effects of the Dutch East India Trade on the Influenced Nations

The Effects of the Dutch East India Trade on the Influenced Nations

When we think of the early Dutch East India trading companies, we can't help but be amazed by the impact they had on the world. From the very first voyage in 1602, the Dutch quickly rose to become one of the most powerful colonial powers in the world, utilizing their large navy and trading networks to reach far-off lands. But what kind of impacts did this expansive trading network have on the nations the Dutch trading expedition visited? Let’s take a closer look at the effects of the Dutch East India trade on the nations they visited and see how their influence extended far beyond the influence of money.

Branding of Dutch Culture and Doctrines

When traveling to distant locations, the Dutch traders had to rely heavily on the cultural norms of the natives. It was vital for the members of the crew to gain the trust of the people they met and to make sure that the goods they exchanged were fair and equitable. This meant the Dutch had to adopt some of the cultural practices, values and doctrines of the people they encountered to get the most from their trading endeavors.

This echos of the Dutch East India Company’s desire to promote Dutch culture in the lands they visited, and this can be seen with the introduction of some Dutch customs and religion. As a result of the trading network, the Dutch language spread to many nations as traders and colonists utilized it to communicate with the local people. For example, Dutch became the official language of Indonesia, a former Dutch colony, in 1950.The famous bridge in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Marc Kleen @ Unsplash

The Growth of the Dutch Economy

The Dutch East India trade also had a major impact on the development of the Dutch economy. Since the Dutch cargo was worth more in foreign countries, the Netherlands was able to generate sizable profits from their trading endeavors. As well, these profits allowed the Dutch to establish an impressive trade network with other nations in Asia, Africa and the Americas.SLO ll - Boxes And Squares
Simone Hutsch @ Unsplash

This extensive trade network, together with the increased wealth generated from the East Indian trade, helped propel the Netherlands to the forefront of European power in the 17th and 18th centuries. The East Indian trading companies are estimated to have made up 11% of the Dutch GDP in a single year in 1730, with the increase in profits due largely to the East Indian trade.

The Impact of Utilizing Skilled labor

In addition to strengthening the Dutch economy, the Dutch East India Company was also responsible for introducing skilled labor to the nations they visited. This labor was utilized to help build infrastructure, create new markets and improve existing agricultural techniques. The company also employed workers to build fortifications, expand settlements and cultivate new lands.

The presence of these skilled laborers had a lasting effect on the nations that were touched by the Dutch East India Company. They not only left behind new technology, tools and techniques, but also left a lasting impression on the people they met through their knowledge and expertise. In fact, the knowledge and techniques brought by Dutch settlers often sparked new industries and enabled others to flourish in their new home.

Preservation of Dutch History

Finally, it is important to recognize the impact the Dutch East India Company had on preserving Dutch history. Through the records and documents they created, historians have been able to look back and understand the history of the Dutch East India Company in greater detail. By looking through these records, we can better understand the people they interacted with, the trades they conducted and the lives they changed.

Ultimately, the Dutch East India trading company had a massive impact on the nations they visited. From introducing Dutch culture and technology to creating an extensive trading network and preserving Dutch history, their legacy lives on to this day.

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