Causes of the decline of the Dutch East India Company (DElCO/ UDEICO)

Causes of the decline of the Dutch East India Company (DElCO/ UDEICO)

The settlers were not happy with the Company officials and their policy towards the Africans for example they rejected the Company's restriction on their determined exploitation of the local Africans (mainly the Khoisan and other colored’s races).

The financial center of the western powers was moved from Amsterdam to London, which led to the expansion of English and French East India Companies.

By now the main shipping lanes were now dominated by ships of the British Navy and by 1794 the Company was bankrupt and sold off its dividends.

The Dutch settlers were dissatisfied with the Company restrictions on their trading abilities, for instance the settlers were not free to trade or to sell their products any where apart from the Company.

The Dutch settlers were not protected by Company administration against the hostile Africans, for example the Xhosa and other Bantu (Nguni) speaking groups.

Many settlers accused the Company officials of concentrating mainly on making money rather than defending the frontier Dutch settlers in the north east of the Cape.

The Dutch settlers detested the Company's restriction on the acquisition of land from the Africans by force.

There was widespread discontency among the Dutch colonists, which led to revolts in Swellendam and GraafReinet. The financial position of the D.E.I.CO was so appalling (insolvent state).

In Holland conflicts between the monarchists and the republicans was a blow to the success of the Dutch Company.

The Dutch settlers were not represented in the administration of the Company hence they desired to manage their own affairs far inland the Cape.

The Company's administration had mainly concentrated at the coastal areas hence the pastoral Dutch settlers developed a spirit of independence and disliked any kind of Company authority and control.

By the end of the Eighteenth Century, the frontier Dutch settlers were African oriented or they had adopted some of the African ways of life to a certain level. These revolts marked an end to the Company administration at the Cape.

Achievements of DElCO (1652 – 1795)

It occupied the Cape in 1652.

It sent its agents to establish a calling station at the Cape.

Acquired large tracts of land.

Colonized the Cape by 1790’s.

Controlled the Cape against other European competitors.

In 1657 the Cape became a Colony until 1795.

The Cape coast line was guarded well.

The Cape emerged into a big town area- Cape Town.

Armed the Boer- Estate farmers against African threats.

Encouraged African slaves for the white farmers.

Schools and Churches were set by the DRC.

It administered the Cape for some time, from 1652 to 1794.

It tried to solve its problems

The Cape expanded into 4 important district areas like Cape Town, Stellensboscn Graaf Reinct and Swellensdam.

Introduced Christian Calvinist doctrines of discrimination which the Dutch wanted.

Constructed a hospital at the Cape

Erected a water reservoir for the Sailors and norrmadist Boer farmers.

Some introduced Islam at the Cape.

Encouraged the whitel Boers settlers to intermarry with the Africans.

Many Europeans were encouraged to come to South Africa.

Eliminated many African enemies like the Kkoisan and the Xhosa/ Nguni.

Controlled trade monopolies at the cape.