VOC Colonial Governance at Ambon in the 1670s

Name: VOC Colonial Governance at Ambon in the 1670s
Start: 1671
End: 1680

Type Event Region Southeast Asia Time 1671–1680

In the 1670s the VOC consolidated its clove trade monopoly on Ambon through the 'Ambon system', quotas, restrictions on non-VOC ships, and reorganiza…

Timeline

1671–1675Ambon · MoluccasThe VOC established a resident governor and councils at Ambon, governing North and South Moluccas, Banda and other subordinate areas, bringing the clove-producing regions under the company's direct administration.
1673–1678Halmahera Island · MoluccasThe VOC imposed mandatory delivery quotas in clove-producing areas like Halmahera, reorganized the local orang kaya (chiefs) system, banned private trade and planting of extra clove trees, and punished violators with capital punishment.
1678–1680Seram Island · MoluccasVOC patrol fleets struck unauthorized trade and smuggling networks on Seram and other outer islands, pursuing merchants who evaded company control and further consolidating the spice monopoly.

Sources

The Dutch East India Company: The History of the World's First Multinational Corporation — Charles River Editors (2017)
An Economic History of Indonesia, 1800-2010 — Anne Booth (2016)
The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia, Volume 1 — Nicholas Tarling (ed.) (1999)