The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 404 - Jan Pieterszoon Coen (live)
Nov 19, 2019
Dive into the audacious life of Jan Pieterszoon Coen and the Dutch East India Company's brutal colonial endeavors. From the quirky trade of nutmeg to the violent realities faced by indigenous populations, the humor-laced discussions reveal the absurdities of colonial ambition. Explore the dark legacy of figures like Coen, the chaos of spice wars, and societal critiques, all while laughing at historical oddities. This lively take blends dark humor with crucial lessons about power, greed, and the complexities of our past.
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Ruthless Rise Through Commerce
- Jan Pieterszoon Coen built his authority through ruthless efficiency and financial skill, rising fast in the Dutch East India Company.
- His early exposure to violence and mastery of bookkeeping shaped a singularly brutal colonial approach.
Trade And War Are Interlinked
- Coen argued the VOC needed monopolies and military force to secure spice trade profits and national power.
- He explicitly linked trade and war, saying commerce required armed protection backed by profits.
Intimidation Over Diplomacy
- Coen bullied English official John Jourdain and forced him to abandon trade plans on Ambon Island.
- He used intimidation and threats to prevent English-native trade and assert Dutch control.
