The wars of the Company

This chapter will analyse some of the VOC's military aspects. It will first sketch some 'structural' traits of the VOC relevant to its warfare, such as its financial system and its political culture as compared to many local societies, and its motives for getting involved in military conflict. It will then go on to make a short inventory of the military resources that the VOC had at its disposal, and briefly touch upon various discussions regarding the use and value of these resources.