The most valuable company in history was the Dutch East India Company.

How rich was the Dutch East India Company?This might explain what paid for all those pretty canals and houses in Amsterdam.The Dutch East- India Company was rich but not great for everyone. Apple didn't have anything on it.Many of the massive sailing ships perished in storms, fell prey to piracy or infectious disease, in a time when a trip from Amsterdam to Batavia would last no shorter than 8 to 10 months.The risk of travelling at the time was huge, but once on location and with the right knowledge and attitude, there was a great chance of becoming wealthy.Many took the odds and Tulips went on to become a treasure of the Netherlands.The company was the first official company to issue stocks, which peaked during the Dutch tulip mania, a craze for tulip bulbs that are seen as the world's first true financial bubble.Modern-day companies don't compare, that's a good thing!The VOC was worth the same as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, ExxonMobil, and Wells Fargo put together.The world's most valuable company, Apple, is worth about 9% of the peak value.It was worth roughly the same amount as the GDPs of Japan and Germany today.The company employed tens of thousands of people.The Dutch East India Company was also pretty evil, and it wasn't all fun and games.Despite bringing the Netherlands prosperity and successfully connecting the world, it also brought horrendous suffering for an endless number of people.Slave trading, colonial oppression and absurd treatment of employees were some of the things the VOC did to make sure its assets were protected.If you think your job is hard today, try being a deckhand on a year and a half VOC-round trip or a slave living in the dark belly of a ship.The success of international trading companies like the VOC has forever put a stain on the world.Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That much in the least is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland. Were you as shocked as we were?Let us know what you think in the comments.The article was originally published in December of last year and was updated in March of this year.

The VOC sent over one million voyagers across Asia, which is more than the rest of Europe combined.Many of the massive sailing ships perished in storms, fell prey to piracy or infectious disease, in a time when a trip from Amsterdam to Batavia would last no shorter than 8 to 10 months.The risk of travelling at the time was huge, but once on location and with the right knowledge and attitude, there was a great chance of becoming wealthy.Many took the odds and Tulips went on to become a treasure of the Netherlands.The company was the first official company to issue stocks, which peaked during the Dutch tulip mania, a craze for tulip bulbs that are seen as the world's first true financial bubble.That is 7,900 billion or 79,000 million.

Pirates and infectious disease killed many of the massive sailing ships.The risk of travelling at the time was huge, but once on location and with the right knowledge and attitude, there was a great chance of becoming wealthy.Many took the odds and Tulips went on to become a treasure of the Netherlands.The company was the first official company to issue stocks, which peaked during the Dutch tulip mania, a craze for tulip bulbs that are seen as the world's first true financial bubble.That is 7,900 billion or 79,000 million.

Tulips became a treasure of the Netherlands.The company was the first official company to issue stocks, which peaked during the Dutch tulip mania, a craze for tulip bulbs that are seen as the world's first true financial bubble.That is 7,900 billion or 79,000 million.

The company was the first official company to issue stocks, which peaked during the Dutch tulip mania, a craze for tulip bulbs that are seen as the world's first true financial bubble.That is 7,900 billion or 79,000 million.

The company was the first official company to issue stocks, which peaked during the Dutch tulip mania, a craze for tulip bulbs that are seen as the world's first true financial bubble.That is 7,900 billion or 79,000 million.

The company was worth 78 million Dutch guilders at the time, but thanks to the stock market, it is now worth a whopping $7.9 trillion dollar.That is 7,900 billion or 79,000 million.

The VOC was worth the same as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, ExxonMobil, and Wells Fargo put together.The world's most valuable company, Apple, is worth about 9% of the peak value.It was worth roughly the same amount as the GDPs of Japan and Germany today.The company employed tens of thousands of people.It was nearly four centuries ago that people across the globe made it a textbook multinational.

It was worth the same amount as the GDPs of Japan and Germany today.The company employed tens of thousands of people.It was nearly four centuries ago that people across the globe made it a textbook multinational.

70,000 were employed by the company.It was nearly four centuries ago that people across the globe made it a textbook multinational.

It wasn't all fun and games with the Dutch East India Company.Despite bringing the Netherlands prosperity and successfully connecting the world, it also brought horrendous suffering for an endless number of people.Slave trading, colonial oppression and absurd treatment of employees were some of the things the VOC did to make sure its assets were protected.If you think your job is hard today, try being a deckhand on a year and a half VOC-round trip or a slave living in the dark belly of a ship.The success of international trading companies like the VOC has forever put a stain on the world.Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

Slave trading, colonial oppression and absurd treatment of employees were included.If you think your job is hard today, try being a deckhand on a year and a half VOC-round trip or a slave living in the dark belly of a ship.The success of international trading companies like the VOC has forever put a stain on the world.Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

As many as 50,000 people from Africa are thought to have been transported by the VOC to serve or trade as slaves in its colonies.The success of international trading companies like the VOC has forever put a stain on the world.Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

Europe's colonial past has been stained by the success of international trading companies.Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

It's crazy rich.Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

Regardless of its endless exploitation these trading companies, and colonies, have shaped the world and are at the foot of today's "multiculturalism" and the modern-day economy.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

Many people deny their country's colonial past.Holland gained its historic wealth and fortune over the heads of others, which is not to say that it is the fault of the modern Dutch.It's always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in "multi-culti" Holland.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

It is always wise to speak with some discretion to people of color, even in Holland, as many of them are descendants of the VOC-days.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

It is wise to speak with some discretion to people of color in Holland, as many of them are descendants of slaves.There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the downsides that came.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

There are some interesting facts to be learned when we consider the history of the VOC, but it would be irresponsible for us not to mention the drawbacks that came with it.That is what every Dutch owes the world, especially given that people of a colonial past are so important to modern Holland.

For modern natural and international law.It was written to justify a hijacking.He defended the principle that the sea is for everyone.

Tasman was an explorer and merchant for the VOC in the 17th century.His voyages took him to warmer places than those of Barentsz.

An excellent article.The modern Dutch aren't responsible for the way their forefathers plundered the colonies, but they must recognize that wealth passes down generations so they are in many ways living well today while the descendants struggle to recover from both the financial and social costs.

The article is nonsensical because it assumes that the annual inflation rate was 3% since the 1600s.This isn't how it works.

How does it work?More than all of the other coutries combined, VOC owned > 20.000 ships and employed almost 1% of global jobs.They owned land and traded with all of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Cool.The article states that might is correct.The Dutch East India company took risks and created wealth for their shareholders, they did that by the rules and laws they created, the ends justified the means.Slavery was only made possible by caucasian europeans for the first time.The wealth created by the Dutch East India company was acknowledged in the article as a token acknowledgement.I don't think it will lead to meaningful decisions after a discussion with Holland or Europe.Maybe non caucasian nations will get smart as well.It is a zero sum game, the resources of this planet are finite and will always be the fight, enlightenment doesn't come easily.

The West Indian Company was involved in the slave trade.They were involved in the slave trade.I don't think that was a big deal in the East Indies.They may not have been as evil as Facebook is today.

Here it is.You are stuck in the past.The world is not far away.When will you sing of your glories??

They owe a huge amount of money to Indonesia.Indonesian people don't ask for anything.Many people were killed in Indonesia by an evil company.

The VOC might have been rich, but it was nothing compared to Dutch wealth from fair trade.The British narrative is that because they couldn't make money without using violence, the Dutch must also have done it that way.If the British had ever tried to do fair trade on the Baltic Sea, they would have seen the huge number of Dutch ships.They did not because they were busy chopping eachother up and trying to rob countries far away, and they didn't have to compete with better ships and sailors.The Dutch herring fishery was larger than the VOC every year.The trade between Asian countries is mostly done by the VOC.The 17th century had handguns and muskets that took minutes to operate and couldn't shoot straight for 5 meters.It is not like the Chinese, Japanese or the Moghuls wereimidated by the Dutch.The Dutch, who already had a middle class which could afford paintings and exotica, were not affected much by the Indonesians being exploited by their own rulers.Half of the sailors on Dutch ships were foreign.Asians and Africans were paid the same as Europeans.It wasn”t a good job for a Dutch person, but by English standards it was normal work.The canal houses were paid for by the Baltic Sea trade, industry, fishery, and a big spending middle class.You probably can not read primary sources because you don't want to hear about the British narrative that immigrants from anywhere but the Antilles have no moral claim to Dutch wealth and should be grateful.It is not like you have colonized The Netherlands.

The Dutch Republic made a lot of money by doing more than half of Europe's trade within Europe.If the British had ever tried to do fair trade on the Baltic Sea, they would have seen the huge number of Dutch ships.They did not because they were busy chopping eachother up and trying to rob countries far away, and they didn't have to compete with better ships and sailors.The Dutch herring fishery was larger than the VOC every year.The trade between Asian countries is mostly done by the VOC.The 17th century had handguns and muskets that took minutes to operate and couldn't shoot straight for 5 meters.It is not like the Chinese, Japanese or the Moghuls wereimidated by the Dutch.The Dutch, who already had a middle class which could afford paintings and exotica, were not affected much by the Indonesians being exploited by their own rulers.Half of the sailors on Dutch ships were foreign.Asians and Africans were paid the same as Europeans.It wasn”t a good job for a Dutch person, but by English standards it was normal work.The canal houses were paid for by the Baltic Sea trade, industry, fishery, and a big spending middle class.You probably can not read primary sources because you don't want to hear about the British narrative that immigrants from anywhere but the Antilles have no moral claim to Dutch wealth and should be grateful.It is not like you have colonized The Netherlands.

The Dutch merchant fleet had over 20.000 ships, while the VOC only had 140.The Dutch herring fishery was larger than the VOC every year.The trade between Asian countries is mostly done by the VOC.The 17th century had handguns and muskets that took minutes to operate and couldn't shoot straight for 5 meters.It is not like the Chinese, Japanese or the Moghuls wereimidated by the Dutch.The Dutch, who already had a middle class which could afford paintings and exotica, were not affected much by the Indonesians being exploited by their own rulers.Half of the sailors on Dutch ships were foreign.Asians and Africans were paid the same as Europeans.It wasn”t a good job for a Dutch person, but by English standards it was normal work.The canal houses were paid for by the Baltic Sea trade, industry, fishery, and a big spending middle class.You probably can not read primary sources because you don't want to hear about the British narrative that immigrants from anywhere but the Antilles have no moral claim to Dutch wealth and should be grateful.It is not like you have colonized The Netherlands.

The Dutch had a middle class which could afford paintings and exotica and life was easier for them back then.Half of the sailors on Dutch ships were foreign.Asians and Africans were paid the same as Europeans.It wasn”t a good job for a Dutch person, but by English standards it was normal work.The canal houses were paid for by the Baltic Sea trade, industry, fishery, and a big spending middle class.You probably can not read primary sources because you don't want to hear about the British narrative that immigrants from anywhere but the Antilles have no moral claim to Dutch wealth and should be grateful.It is not like you have colonized The Netherlands.

The Baltic Sea trade, industry, fishery, a big spending middle class, maybe if you see hundreds of those houses one of them be paid for by exploitation of some Asian people.You probably can not read primary sources because you don't want to hear about the British narrative that immigrants from anywhere but the Antilles have no moral claim to Dutch wealth and should be grateful.It is not like you have colonized The Netherlands.

Do you think it is rude to shame Dutch history without knowing anything about it?It is not like you have colonized The Netherlands.

Yes of course!Everything from my country: Indonesia.The people were left with poor condition.My friends joke that Orang Belanda is better colonialized by Britain than pelit is in Indonesia.The VOC is rich because of their robbery.

9%?Apple is up to 28%.The 2.24T market cap is rising rapidly.DEIC may fall from its top spot in 15 years.

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