How did the Dutch West India Company participate in privateering and the trade in enslaved people?

The Dutch West India Company, founded in 1621, was established primarily to conduct economic warfare against Spain and Portugal by targeting their colonial interests in the Americas, the West Indies, and West Africa.1

Privateering

Privateering was a central component of the company’s strategy to weaken its rivals. Operating largely out of ports in the province of Zeeland, the company’s vessels preyed upon Spanish and other foreign shipping. A notable success occurred in 1628, when the Dutch seaman Piet Heyn captured a portion of the Spanish treasure fleet off the coast of Cuba. The resulting booty provided the financial resources necessary for the company to challenge Portuguese control in Brazil.231

Trade in Enslaved People

The company was granted a monopoly over trade in the Atlantic regions and actively participated in the trade in enslaved people, in which the Dutch were preeminent during the 17th century. To support this, the company acquired ports along the west coast of Africa, which served as hubs to supply enslaved people for plantations in South America and the West Indies.231