The Dutch Atlantic, 1600–1800 Expansion Without Empire

Abstract The history of the Dutch Atlantic seems riddled with failures. Within fifty years of their conquest, the two most important Dutch colonies (in Brazil and in North America) were lost. In addition, the Dutch plantations in the Caribbean suffered severe financial setbacks, bringing the Dutch slave trade to a virtual standstill. In this contribution the author asserts that even without these disasters, the Dutch could not have rivalled the British, as the Dutch did not have sufficient resources or naval power. Only in the tropics were the Dutch able to continue trading and producing cash crops. The resulting high mortality made the Atlantic empire a demographic disaster for the Dutch, while the other European powers saw their overseas populations increase. The successful recruitment of foreigners to serve as soldiers, sailors and planters enabled the Dutch to remain an Atlantic power.