So, this: TIL that, starting during their golden age in the early 17th century, the Dutch had a monopoly on trade with Japan that lasted until 1854. During this time, the Dutch were Japan's only source of information on the Western world. hits the front page and I was wondering why the Dutch went through a lot of wars and colonialize South East Asia and the East Indies archipelago in particular but they never rule over Japan? I understand the only purpose they had to go to the East Indies was for spice trade monopoly and they had that, but why colonialize too but not in Japan?
A reply to /u/DEADPOOL
I take issue with the use of term "colonialize" (sic) when applied to what the Dutch VOC did in the 17th century. The VOC never did control most of SE Asia. All European powers at that time founded (or took control of) trading posts and largely had to rely on existing trading networks.
Even if we are to move forward to 1800, the Dutch only controlled small parts of SE Asia as shown on this map. In the 1600s, they directly controlled only the ports, such as Batavia, parts of the Moluccas, and Malacca. On one hand we should not underestimate their influence on the balance of power and the way trade was done. But on the other hand we should not overestimate the extent of their power.
Now back to the 1600s. European powers were concerned with (1) being able to profit from trade, both from Asia to Europe and between Asian countries, (2) to restrict trade when it is against their interest, and (3) to have security in their ports and routes. This is what the VOC fought for in SE Asia in the 1600s, both against other Europeans such as the English, Portuguese and Spanish; and against native powers such as Banten, Johor. All European powers sought monopoly whenever they could. The VOC attacked Malacca several times until they succeeded, because they wanted traders to trade with them in Batavia and not with the Portuguese in Malacca. They conducted punitive raids around the Maluku Islands in order to stop spice growers and traders from selling to the English and the Portuguese.
Now going to Japan, the isolationist policy of Japan played perfectly into the VOC's interest. The restriction on trade and expelling of other Europeans meant that VOC had the monopoly to provide the merchant service for Japan, which includes silk from China to trade for silver from Japan. This grew to be an even larger source of revenue than the VOC's trade with its home base in the Netherlands.
So it's important to understand the nature of "colonization", to use the abuse of that word, in the context of the 16th 17th century.
