The document outlines the rise and fall of the Dutch maritime empire from 1600 to 1750, detailing its establishment through trade with Indonesia and control over territories in the Americas and Asia via the Dutch East and West India Companies. It highlights significant cultural achievements during Holland's golden age, including advancements in art, science, and trade, before discussing factors that led to the decline of Dutch power, such as conflicts with England and France. The document concludes with the transformation of the Dutch Republic into the Kingdom of Holland under Napoleon and subsequent changes leading to Belgium's separation in 1839.

1. DUTCH EMPIRE (Netherlands)
Maritime Empire
1600-1750

2. The Beginnings of Dutch History
Holland (now called The
Netherlands) which means
“Lowlands”

3. Before the rise of Dutch Empire……….
• In the mid-1500’s, “the Netherland had come under
Spanish Control. When the people of the Netherlands
revolted against their Spanish Rulers in 1568, their
ships could no longer enter either Spanish and
Portuguese”. (Littell, 2000, p. 358)
They give up Portuguese trades routes and decided to set
up their own trade in West and East India ports.

5. Rise of Dutch Empire
• The Dutch navigators sailed to the east and establish
trade relations with the Malay rulers of Indonesia.
• They developed a vast seaborne empire “they had
important advantages in the pool manpower, ships,
wealth, and experience built up by their ascendancy in
fishing and transport in northern waters” (Roberts,
1976, p. 560)

6. Plotted Companies….
Dutch East India Company
and
Dutch West India Company

7. The Netherland East India Company (Dutch in the East)
• In 1602 the Netherlands East India Company, which
was empowered to maintain armed forces, wage wars
and make peace, and govern the colonies.
• The Dutch East India Company governed land in
Southeast Asia.
• In expanding their territories in Southeast Asia, they
made a headquarters in Batavia (Jakarta).

8. • They also became the only European country allowed
to trade in Japan (Holland carried commercial
relations with China, Japan, India and South Pacific
Island)
• They had a near monopoly on the Asian trade
• Dutch vessels transported other nations’ cargo
The Netherland East India Company (Dutch in the East)

10. Dutch West India Company (Dutch in America ) 1624-1664
• In 1621 the Dutch West India was founded to control the
American trade.
• In 1652 the Dutch colonizers established themselves in South
Africa.
• From 1634-1648, the Dutch succeeded in taking Curacao and
other small island in West indies from Spain, and colonizing
Guiana on the northern coast of South America. In the North
America, the Dutch colonized the Hudson Valley and
established the town of New Amsterdam (now New York City)

12. Cape Town (1652)
• Forts and farms with independent farmers called free Burghers dotted
Cape Town.
• Land inhabited by the Khoikhoi people.
• The English were the first to attempt to settle it but the Dutch were
the first to succeed
Jan Huyghen Van Linschoten, a Netherlands merchant whose only
knowledge of the orient comes from trading in Lisbon. The survivors of
this journey get back to Holland two years later. They bring valuable
cargo.

13. Holland’s Golden Age
The Dutch economy grew stronger and most part of the society flourished, it is a
civilization flowered in full splendor.
• Trades – they trade everything including slaves
• Colonies – Americas, Africa and Asia
• Art- “The Night Watch” by Rembrant
• Science- Anton Van Leeuwehoek improved microscope and discovered the protozoa
and bacteria
- Christian Huygens invented the pocket and wristwatch
• Literature- “Prince of Humanist” by Desiderius Erasmus and “The law of War and
Peace”
• Landscaping – Jan Vermeer excelled in landscaping

14. Decline of Dutch Power
• The marvelous success of Dutch in the world of trade and
colonization, Holland was not only a great colonial power but
was also the chief carriers of the world commerce. “its
merchant vessels numbered 15,000, as compared with 3,000
of English ships and 500 of French ships.”

15. Reasons…..
• Cromwell of England struck the first blow against the Dutch by
promulgating the Navigation Act of 1651, which enclosed the ports of
England and those colonies to Dutch vessels.
• The military and naval power was weakened by three Anglo-Dutch Wars
and the War with Louis XIV of France
• The Dutch republic ended in 1790 when the first French republic
conquered Holland.
• The French created a puppet government called Batavian Republic, but in
1806 Napoleon the Great changed this into kingdom of Holland, “after his
downfall, the 1815 congress of Vienna created the Kingdoms of the
Netherlands (Holland and Belgium) with the Prince of Orange as kings.
• In 1839 the Belgian separated and formed their own kingdoms.

16. • References
• Littel, M. 2000. History of the World, 358-359
• Roberts, J.M. 1976. History of the World, 560-561
• Zaide, G., Zaide, S., 2002. World History 198-200
• http://www.historyworld.net/timesearch/default.asp?conid=2&botto
msort=21641418&direction=NEXT&keywords=Dutch%20empire&tim
elineid

17. Mabalos!
Prepared by:
Judy-ann P. Jardinan
3-BEED