"Onder faveur van ’t canon" VOC – Artillerie 1602-1796 studies the development and the VOC’s use of a policy that creates additional advantages for its own military means and opportunities on the... Show more"Onder faveur van ’t canon" VOC – Artillerie 1602-1796 studies the development and the VOC’s use of a policy that creates additional advantages for its own military means and opportunities on the one hand, and simultaneously weakens potential opponents on the other hand. This resulted in important advantages in terms of effectiveness and firepower for the VOC compared to local opponents. Because of this artificial balance, the VOC could economise the military budget without negatively impacting its own power. The policy is analysed by studying the most effective weapon: the artillery. The artillery was utmost complex in terms of management, organisation, administration, and required knowledge and skills. The policy was succesful, but had limitations: it could not be applied against contractor states and in areas where potent local states had access to the weapon’s market. Furthermore, the defense against European opponents during the 18th century became increasingly important. Although the VOC developed in its final days good concepts, the realisation of these concepts was could not be achieved by the VOC nor the Dutch Republic, as this would exceed the existent financial means. Show less
The thesis explores the nature of VOC diplomacy using the seventeenth century interaction between the Company and the sultanate of Makassar on the western coast of South Sulawesi as its case. I... Show moreThe thesis explores the nature of VOC diplomacy using the seventeenth century interaction between the Company and the sultanate of Makassar on the western coast of South Sulawesi as its case. I analyse the Directors’ reflections on diplomacy in the general and approach towards Makassar in particular as well as Batavian reports on relations with Makassar, and the treaties concluded between the Company and the Sultanate. Discussions within the Company on policy towards Makassar in Batavia, as well as reflections on policy by ‘the man on the spot’, Cornelis Speelman, who in his memorie van overgave of 1669 pondered how to maintain the hegemonic position created by the Bongaya treaty complex of 1667-68.. I argue that both the Director’s concerns and the determining factor in policy decisions in Batavia were predominantly based on contextual considerations. By its very nature such an approach begged for precise and accurate information about local conditions and affairs. This led to a constructivist perception of “treaty,” whereby treaties were particularly designed for the specific and particular context to which they were applied. Show less
This dissertation deals with four aspects of the Dutch East India Company’s (VOC) presence at the settlement of Ceylon in the eighteenth century. The net-profit of the island for the parent company... Show moreThis dissertation deals with four aspects of the Dutch East India Company’s (VOC) presence at the settlement of Ceylon in the eighteenth century. The net-profit of the island for the parent company in The Netherlands, the system of bookkeeping and the resulting insights in the proceeds of the company at the settlement, the private bills of exchange sent from Colombo to The Netherlands and an analysis of the VOC-employees at the offices in Ceylon constitute the four areas of research. The study is predominantly based on quantitative sources to be found in the archives in The Hague and in Colombo. The detailed results about Ceylon – signifying about one eighth of the Asian branch of the Company – can be used for a better understanding of the history of the VOC at all her settlements from The Cape to Japan. An important general conclusion is the complementary character of the East India Company on the one hand and the private business activities of her servants or employees on the other hand. Show less
