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Jan 26, 1511
Portuguese Seize Malacca
In 1511, the Portuguese seized Malacca from the local Malay ruler. Malacca was a strategic city on the Malay Peninsula. This city was key to controlling trade in the region. -
Jan 26, 1565
Spanish Establish Fort
In 1565, the Spanish established their first fort in the Philippines. Following the establishment of this fort, the Spanish then went on to conquer the Philippines. The Spanish encountered Muslims on the Island of Mindanao and engaged in the "Moro Wars." -
English East India Company Founded
This company recieved a charter from Queen Elizabeth which made it one of the oldest of the Euorpean India Companies. Many wealthy merchants and artistocrats owned shares; the government maintained no control of this company. Later, the EEIC would control India, ruling with private armies. -
Dutch East India Company Founded
When it was first founded, the Dutch Government gave this company a 21 year monopoly on the spice trade. The DEIC is often referred to as the first multinational corporation because it dealt in so many countries. They set up their headquarters in Jayakarta (now Jakarta). Also, this company was the first to sell stock. -
Dutch Reach Australia
In 1606, the Dutch are credited with reaching Australia and putting Australia's coast on the map. This lead to Australia being called "New Holland," for many centuries. -
Dutch Capital Besieged
In 1628/1629 the Dutch's new capital at Batavia (also known as Jayakarta) was besieged. This followed the Dutch's involvment in a series of wars with the Acheh kingdom as well as others. In 1628, the Kingdom of Mataram (a Javanese kingdom) allowed 50 ships to attack the port. The Dutch held out and eventually won because the sultan was unable to recieve outside assistance from the English. -
Dutch Seize Malacca
In 1641, the Dutch seized Malacca from the Portuguese. The Portuguese had previously taken the island in 1511 from a local Malay ruler. The Dutch took over this island because it was an important part of the spice trade. After the Dutch seized Malacca, the Portuguese were left with little colonies in the East Indies; the Dutch essentially drove out the Portuguese. -
Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant. He worked in conjunction with the Dutch East India Comapny and in 1642 to 1643, Abel Tasman became the first Eurpoean to set foot on Tasmania and New Zealand soil. Tasman also sailed around Australia and sighted the Fiji Islands. These events signaled European involvement, to those colonies. -
Omani Arabs capture Musqat from Portuguese
Again, another Portuguese port was captured. After the Omanis captured this colony, Portuguese power suffered a severe blow. Musqat was Portugal's stronghold colony in southern Arabia. The Omanis were then able to create a powerful maritime empire, following the capture of Musqat. -
Omani Arabs Seize Mombasa from Portuguese
For a second time, the Portuguese had a port city captured by Omani Arabs. When Portugal was creating its port cities, it favored Malindi which then lead to the decline of Kilwa and Mombasa; this decline is ultimately what led to the capture of Mombasa. At the time of its capture, however, Mombasa had been the Portuguese capital in East Africa. The Portuguese briefly took back Mombas but permanently lost control of it in 1729.
