The Dutch East India Company Quotes

“Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“The Dutch had created an empire at sea that allowed them to funnel wealth directly into the city of Amsterdam. In turn, they were able to transmute that wealth of spices into a Golden Age for the Dutch people.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“At its pinnacle around the year 1669, the VOC controlled nearly 150 merchant ships, 40 warships, 50,000 employees, and a 10,000-strong private army.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“This trading network along with their control of ports in Japan, Batavia, and Maluka allowed the VOC to become what has been called the most profitable company in history.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“May 30, 1619, Pieterszoon Coen landed in Indonesia with 19 vessels under his command. His first aim was to take the trading port city of Jakarta by force. Under his leadership, the VOC private armies drove out and massacred the Banten forces that controlled the port. From this victory, the headquarters and key port of Batavia would be born.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“The VOC controlled eight different ports east of Cape Town but had access to more than fifteen major commodities that included, but were not limited to, cinnamon, cloves, tea, silk, porcelain, cloth, pepper, tea teak, sandalwood, and camphor.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“At their pinnacle, the VOC had in their employ over 25,000 workers in the east alone, with over 11,000 en route at any given time.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“The VOC was the first company to include the employment of workers from other nations.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“The VOC is largely considered as being the first company to leverage the power of a joint-stock company with its interests being multi-national.”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End

“Look to the past and remember no empire rises that sooner or later won't fall.” —Al Stewart”
― Hourly History, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End