Map of Dutch Possessions

History

The Dutch Empire is the name given to the various territories controlled by the Netherlands from the 17th to the 20th century. The Netherlands reigned supreme during much of the 17th century, which is known as Dutch Golden Age. Netherland territories included Indonesia (1602-1945), Sri Lanka (17th century-1802), the Netherlands Antilles (since 1634), Tobago (1654-1678), Suriname (17th century-1975), Guyana (1667-1815), Belgium (1815-1830), Luxembourg (1815-1867), South Africa (1652-1805), parts of Malaysia (1610-1830), and a part of eastern Brazil (1630-1654). Territories that were later gained were the areas in the United States called New York City, New York (1624-1664, 1673-1674), Albany, New York (1614-1617, 1624-1664, 1673-1674). Furthermore, the Dutch owned trade posts all over the world, including Dejima, Japan (1641-1853), Corandèl (New Zealand), Smeerenburg (on Svalbard) and Elmina (Ghana). Around 1800, when the Netherlands were a puppet state of revolutionary France, many possessions were taken by the British Empire.

The East

Indonesia

In the beginning of the 17th century most major European powers flocked to take over Indonesia for its natural resources and strategic standpoints. In the end, the Dutch overcame the British and Portuguese for rightful ownership of the archipelago. These islands became a major economic benefit to the Netherlands through the Dutch East India Company(VOC). On December 27 1949 the Dutch granted independence to Indonesia after major losses to the Netherlands in World War 2 and Japanese occupation. Netherlands New Guinea stayed part of the Netherlands until 1963.

Malaysia

The Dutch East Indies expanded their borders through invasions to include Malaysia in 1610. In 1830, the United Kingdom seized this territory.

Sri Lanka

After ousting Portuguese power in the late 16th century, the Dutch gained control of Sri Lanka in 1600 and remained a very large trading post until overtaken by none other than the British in 1802. Sri Lanka was a very important trading post for the Netherlands because it was a half-way point between Indonesia and South Africa, so one could imagine how prosperous the little island became.

South Africa

In 1652 the Netherlands wanted territory that was roughly half-way between the Dutch East Indies and the Dutch West Indies. South Africa was chosen because it was easily accessible and the large amount of natives there were not unified and therefore easy to oust. Great Britain seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1797 during the Fifth Anglo-Dutch War, and annexed it in 1805.

The West

Netherlands Antilles

In 1493 and 1499 these two groups of islands in the Caribbean were charted by the Spanish Empire and considered Spanish territory. In 1634 the Netherlands conquered these islands from the Spain, one of the many losses that the Spaniards had to endure during the Dutch Revolt when the Netherlands won their independence from Spain.

Suriname

In 1600 Dutch explorers came across an unmarked section of north Latin America. With little resistance by small tribes of natives, the Dutch conquered this area and named it Suriname. Shortly after, the British came across sea to take over this area, and many heated battles took place but the area was never fully taken over by the British. Finally, at the end of the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the British were forced to leave Suriname alone and give full control to the Netherlands with the Treaty of Breda. In 1954 it was part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and in 1975 full independence was granted.

Guyana

In the 16th century European settlers first arrived in this area of north Latin America, the Netherlands being the fastest to claim the land. Around 1600 was the first trade route established by the Dutch. Eventually the Netherlands planted three colonies to further mark the territory under the Netherlands rule; Essequibo (1616), Berbice (1627), and Demerara (1752). The British started attacking Guyana in the late 18th century. Slowly the Netherlands lost control of Guyana starting in 1814 and in 1831 the area fell under British rule.

Europe

Belgium

After the Congress of Vienna, the southern Netherlands were granted to the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The southern Netherlands had less power than the northern Netherlands in the new kingdom, and it declared independence in 1830 (Belgian Revolution). The independence was recognized by the Netherlands in 1839.

Luxembourg

After the Congress of Vienna king William I of the Netherlands was made Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and the two countries united into a personal union. The independence of Luxembourg was ratified in 1869. When William III of the Netherlands died in 1890, leaving no male successor, the Grand Duchy was given to another branch of the Nassau family.

East Frisia

From 1807 tot 1810 East Frisia was a département of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Holland.