Válka v tropech. Konec portugalského monopolu v obchodě s Orientem a počátky nizozemské dominance (1621–1669)

Abstract

The study discusses the key phase of the Portuguese‑Dutch conflict for a monopoly on commerce with Asia, which dates back to 1621–1669. Portugal, at that time, formed a personnel union with Spain – an Iberian union, whose resources were drained by the costly struggle on the European scene, where the Thirty Years War raged. As the Twelve Year’s Truce (1609–1621) expired, the United East Indian Company (VOC) took the initiative to get rid the Portuguese empire in Asia, called Estado da Índia, of maritime dominance. At the same time, it exploited the Portuguese inability to carry out fundamental structural reforms, as well as the Portuguese‑Spanish suspicions and rivalries, which prevented mutual effective cooperation. First, in 1621–1635, it asserted its complete superiority in Insulindia and the Far East, and, subsequently, between 1635 and 1669, it shattered the Portuguese power in the western Indian Ocean. The result was the collapse of Estado da Índia and the establish‑ ment of a Dutch monopoly for commerce in spices.