2007-11-07 12:10:39 · 6 answers · asked by Ashley F 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Why do you think that they did? The most recent research (Andre Gunder Frank, for example) shows that rather than the Europeans (including the Dutch) creating a trading system in the seas of Asia, they attempted rather desperately to insert themselves into an already thriving system. Both China and Japan, for instance, had capable navies and if the Dutch (or anyone else for that matter) messed with them, they would simply close their ports to Dutch shipping. Even by 1800, some 90% of intra-Asian trade was conducted by Asians or merchants from the Middle East. The only trade that Europeans merchants were able to access was the Europe-Asia trade which was only a fraction of the worth of that circulating within Asia itself.
The only toe-hold that the Europeans could gain was due to silver rather than force. Asian nations wanted silver, which the Europeans had in large quantities from the Americas. This gave the Europeans a seat on the Asian money train. Only when Asian nations underwent one of the typical periodic downturns that happens to any economy, together with internal political troubles, were the Europeans able to manipulate the situation to take territory and expand.
2007-11-07 16:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by Gerald 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They had a powerful navy and were good at cultivating friends among the local rulers. They were experts at trade and at enriching their friends as well as themselves. Where they couldn't make an accommodation or felt it advantageous not to, they just took over. Nobody in that region was able to withstand modern European military power. They also for a long time controlled what later became South Africa, which was an essential stop for restocking water and food. Without this, other nations ships couldn't easily make the trip. This is one of the reasons the Boer War took place, as Britain wanted this advantage for itself.
2007-11-07 20:16:42 · answer #2 · answered by TG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dutch at the time had the best navy in Europe. For a long time, they could enforce their rule. Eventually, the other powers recognize their hold in modern day Indonesia. Eventually, they lost it after WWII.
2007-11-07 20:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by Moebius 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By being the builders of the best ships available. Any country attacking a Dutch trader would be sold no more ships.
2007-11-07 20:15:31 · answer #4 · answered by Bob H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
through mind control
2007-11-07 20:13:07 · answer #5 · answered by toddrick 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm not very sure why what are you studying
2007-11-07 20:12:42 · answer #6 · answered by Jessica 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋