Dutch West India Company

Definition

The Dutch West India Company was a chartered company of Dutch merchants that had a monopoly on trade in the Americas and Africa during the 17th century.

Related terms

Chartered Companies: These were associations formed by investors or shareholders for the purpose of trade, exploration, and colonization.

Monopoly: A situation where a single company or group owns all or nearly all of the market for a given type of product or service.

Trade Routes: Paths used on land or sea primarily for commercial transport. In this context, they refer to those paths used by Dutch merchants to carry out their business across continents.