Dutch History Addendum

This is an addition to the current history books (addendum). This briefly describes what prompted the VOC to travel to the Moluccas.

The struggle for independence

Before 1568, the Low Countries were divided into different regions. For a long time they were ruled by the mighty Spanish empire. Due to dissatisfaction with power and religion, the population wanted to break away from Spanish rule. In 1568, people from different regions took up arms against the Spanish. Thus began the struggle for independence and created its own Republic (the Seven United Netherlands). Later this period became known as the first period of the Eighty Years' War.

The power of Spain 

In 1602, the establishment of the VOC was forced by Grand Pensionary Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and city official Prince Maurits. (Kuipers, 2022). The goal was to become a powerful military and economic weapon against Spain (Kuipers, 2022) by capturing the source of Spain's world power! That is, its riches are in East and West. (Engelfriet, 2009). The Spanish monarchy lived from that. Her power depended on this. Much of Spain's wealth came from the fine spice trade, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace and cloves. Spain and Portugal, who served 1 crown at the time, controlled this spice trade. They also had control over a few small islands in the East. The only place in the whole world where nutmeg, mace and cloves grew, the Moluccas, Maluku.

Cloves and nutmeg were worth more than gold.

Cloves and nutmeg used to be precious goods and stimulants, representing wealth, prestige, style and splendor. People did not know where these spices came from, so it was said that they grew in the paradise gardens of Eden. It is said that at that time, cloves and nutmeg were literally worth their weight in gold. Due to the high value of spices compared to their low volume, they were among the first products to be traded over very long distances and complex transcontinental routes. Four thousand years ago, the kings of Syria used cloves for rituals and from that time on it was the driving force for great voyages of discovery, the basis of wars between kingdoms and the origin of the prosperity of many cities. The search for spices was therefore one of the roots of European expansion (voyages of discovery) and so Spain and Portugal ended up at the source: Maluku.

Independence of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (the Republic).

To continue and ultimately win the struggle for independence, the plan "Nervi d'Espagne" was developed: cut the Spanish Achilles tendon (Jan Pieterzoon Coen, 1615). Cutting Spain and Portugal off from the spice trade would lead to financial weakening. But a monopoly on these exotic spices enriched the Netherlands and financially weakened Spain at the same time. This allowed the Republic to strengthen their military, conquer more land and resources, establish trading systems, and therefore grow their economy. That is why the VOC was allowed to maintain its own army, but also build forts, conclude agreements with the princes and wage wars. 

Twelve-year truce excellent opportunity for a monopoly.

From the founding of the VOC there were successful voyages to the Moluccas, but obtaining a monopoly was still a long way off. In 1609, a Twelve Year Treaty was signed: a truce between Spain and the Republic, which would last until April 20, 1621. This gave the Republic 12 years to establish a monopoly. The VOC continued to enter into lasting alliances with the Moluccan islanders in order to enforce a monopoly. 

These were the terms of the VOC

1. Swear allegiance to: 'States General of the United Netherlands and build the Governorate of Amboyna and be faithful as long as we live.' - In exchange, the VOC offered them protection.

2. Not to sell cloves, nutmeg, or mace to others, "without saying anything as to the price." - The actual price offered by the VOC turned out to be much lower than what the Javanese, Makassares and British were willing to pay. In addition, all forms of trade with others were suppressed.

Why the terms didn't work

Now the Moluccans could not do without the rice supplies of the Javanese, from which they had been cut off because of this loyalty. The VOC was also willing to supply rice, but it was more expensive and of lower quality due to the poorer form of transport. As a result, Moluccans tried to sell their products to the highest bidder, as had been their custom for centuries. This led to "disloyal" Moluccans, which resulted in violence! After twelve years of fighting and negotiating on the Moluccan islands, the VOC was still no closer to its intended monopoly. Now the Twelve Years' Truce would soon end, on April 20, 1621. That is why Jan Pieterzoon Coen (Coen) was appointed general governor and he focused on the Banda (islands), the only place where nutmeg and mace grew.

The consequences at a glance

12-02-1621 Coen arrived in Banda Neira with a 250 man garrison + 36 native boats.

11-03-1621 Coen ordered a full attack on Banda Besar, which was captured within 24 hours and the leaders surrendered and signed a treaty.

20-04-1621 The Twelve Years' Truce ended.

21-04-1621 Coen thought that the islanders would violate the signed treaty with the VOC. So when a burning oil lamp fell to the floor in a bedroom, the Dutch were convinced that a major Bandanese attack was underway. Coen responded ruthlessly. In the following days he organized raids to burn down villages on all the islands and load the remaining population onto ships to be sold into slavery in Batavia. 44 leaders were handcuffed and interrogated on suspicion of the alleged plot to overwhelm the VOC merchants.

08-05-1621 The prisoners were taken to the courtyard of Fort Nassau. An officer read the verdict. One by one the foremen were beheaded and dismembered. In vain a leader asked for forgiveness in Dutch: “But gentlemen, is there no mercy?” as an eyewitness noted in his diary. The severed heads were put on bamboo skewers and displayed around the fort.

However, the executions could not stop the indigenous resistance, so Coen ordered his troops to evacuate the islands and destroy all villages to force the population to surrender. Some sources report that 14,000 people were killed and that 800 people who survived were shipped to Batavia and later returned to Banda to work as slaves. Other sources say that a significant number of Bandanese managed to escape or left even earlier and planned attacks to fight back (digital exhibition gala, WFM 2022).

From resident to slave in your own country

In short, the Banda Islands were depopulated. Coen sent the survivors as prisoners to Batavia. The Bandanese were then taken back to Banda as slaves to tend the nutmeg trees. The land on Banda was divided among the Dutch farmers, who managed the plantations and their slaves. The VOC then applied this method of extermination and control to gain control of the monopoly on cloves.

Independence from the Republic

The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands continued to fight for independence against a weakened Spain, which they finally achieved in 1648. What the VOC subsequently meant for the Dutch economy is known. What is less known is that the VOC's profits mainly came from the four "fine" spices, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg (+mace) and cloves. Of these, two only grew in Maluku, nutmeg (+mace) and cloves. It was a strategic masterstroke for the Republic to fully focus on a monopoly in order to weaken the enemy Spain and strengthen itself to win the Eighty Years' War of Independence. What is completely unknown is the price that the Moluccan people had to pay in blood. Even after independence in 1648, the Netherlands remained in Maluku for another 300 years. Three hundred and fifty years of oppression and exploitation…

The VOC mentality: “The end justifies the means”.

A more realistic perspective

“Maluku financed the Dutch war of independence and worked as a catalyst for the Dutch economy. For three hundred and fifty years.”

Sources:

Kuipers 2022: https://historiek.net/het-grote-verhaal-van-de-voc/44345/ 

Engelfriet, 2009: ( http://www.engelfriet.net/Alie/Aad/twaalfjaardossier2.htm

Jan Pieterzoon Coen, 1615: https://www.boompsychologie.nl/media/5/9789461050366.pdf

West Fries Museum (WFM, Pala):pala.wfm.nl/1621-2

Books:

Nutmeg, Willem Oosterbeek, History of a miraculous nut, 2017.

Banda, Marjolein van Pagee, 2021