United East India Company (VOC)

The United East India Company, commonly known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), was a Dutch trading company established in 1602. It was one of the world's first multinational corporations, granted a monopoly to trade and establish colonies in Asia. The VOC played a significant role in Dutch commerce by transporting spices, textiles, and other goods, and it operated its own military forces to protect its interests. It helped the Dutch establish a vast trading empire, especially in Indonesia, shaping global trade patterns in the 17th and 18th centuries. The company dissolved in 1799 due to financial difficulties.