Dutch West India Company

The Dutch West India Company was a trading company established by the Netherlands in 1621 to promote colonial and commercial interests in the Americas and West Africa. It aimed to challenge Spanish and Portuguese dominance in trade, particularly in sugar and slave trafficking. The company played a significant role in establishing Dutch colonies in the Caribbean and parts of North America, such as New Amsterdam, which later became New York City. Operating until the 18th century, it was instrumental in shaping the early modern global trade landscape and Dutch economic power during its peak.