Dutch Discoveries

Discussing the Impact of the Dutch East India Company From the 1600s to the 1800s, the Dutch East India Company, also referred to as the VOC, shaped the course of what later became known as the Netherlands. The VOC was one of the world's first transnational corporations, and its actions and decisions in Asia had enormous implications for what the Dutch eventually became. In this article, we'll explore the history of the Dutch East India Company and how it has shaped modern Dutch society. The Early Years of the Dutch East India Company In the mid-1600s, the Dutch Republic was emerging as an important European power. After the Eighty Years' War, the Dutch had broken away from Spanish rule and were now looking to colonize and thrive on the world stage. A group of Amsterdam merchants and financiers banded together to form the Dutch East India Company in 1602. This new organization, backed by the Dutch government, was formed to establish trading posts in the Indies and exploit...

Understanding Dutch Immigration and Settlement As one of Europe’s leading countries in international migration, the Netherlands has been playing an active role in the movement of people across the globe for centuries. From the Dutch Golden Age to the modern-day, the journey of Dutch immigrants and settlers looks vastly different depending on the time period. Here, we take a look at the history of Dutch immigration, exploring why people have chosen to immigrate from the Netherlands and who has been settling in countries worldwide. Dutch Immigration in the 1600s During the 1600s, there was an explosion of Dutch migration overseas, spurred on by the Dutch Golden Age and its associated economic growth. This success enabled the Dutch to invest heavily in overseas colonies, such as New Netherland (modern day New York City). During this era, the Dutch East Indian Company was trading heavily with Asia, sending thousands of people to establish trade posts and link connections. Consequently, m...