Dutch Empire

From 1450-1750, the Dutch Empire sought power and wealth through global exploration, motivated by the riches acquired by Spain and Portugal and a desire to compete on the world stage following their independence from Spain in 1579. They focused on controlling trade routes and ports, rather than large land areas, establishing a profitable trading-post empire. 

The Dutch had advanced shipbuilding, creating the Fluyt, a ship that was cheaper to build, faster, and required a smaller crew. Along with navigation tools like the compass and astrolabe, these innovations helped long distance travel and trade. The Dutch established trading centers around Africa, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, the spice islands, and the Americas, where they founded New Amsterdam, now New York City. Their control of valuable goods such as spices, sugar, and silver made them one of the most powerful and influential trading nations of the era, profoundly shaping early modern global trade systems.

0:11- Introduction

1:00 - Motivation for Exploration

1:40- Technology Used

2:30- Where They Went and What They Controlled

3:00- Economic System and Its Impact

3:50- Conclusion

Sources

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3m5yT8DaZ8&list=PLEHRHjICEfDVG6osVMx-168RjRmHv7eby&index=2 

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPaLulRrKuM&list=PLEHRHjICEfDVG6osVMx-168RjRmHv7eby 

• The ways of the world book

Editing by Emma Bell and Zoey Myrick