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.
Analogy
Imagine if all your school's vending machines were owned and operated by one group of students. They control what gets sold, at what price, and they're the only ones who profit from it. That's similar to how the Dutch West India Company operated with their trade monopoly.
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.
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