The Role of the State in the Expansion of the Dutch Overseas Trade Networks, 1590-1630

Michiel de Jong 

In the years 1590-1621 the Dutch swarmed out over the European, Atlantic and Asian seas and successfully developed new overseas markets. This paper focuses on the active support of the Dutch state for the overseas trading operations of its merchant-entrepreneurs. The support program did not result in a decisive reduction of the equipment costs, but accelerated the equipment of ships in new, starting branches of trade and made quick reactions possible on changing market opportunities. Moreover, the build-up of a reorganized army and navy in the Dutch Republic stimulated the growth of a new infrastructure of arms trade and arms production, which provided an important condition for the expansion of Dutch overseas trade.

[WP # 99008]