Dutch Colonial Empire

The Dutch colonial empire was a global network established by the Netherlands from the late 16th to the 20th century. It included territories in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean. The Dutch sought to expand trade, particularly in spices, resulted in the formation of the powerful Dutch East India Company. Their colonies contributed to wealth and cultural exchange but also involved exploitation and conflict with local populations. The empire began to decline in the 19th century, leading to independence movements in many regions and the eventual dissolution of Dutch colonial control.