Dutch intercontinental shipping and trade lost its dominant position during the 18th century and came to a standstill during the Napoleonic period. However, the Netherlands grew out to the fourth seafaring nation in the world in the first half of the 19th century. In this seminar we will analyze the factors behind this growth of Dutch shipping until the 1850s, as well as the reasons for the slow and late transition from sail to steam and the origins of the prosperity after the 1890s. Research will de done in the archives of shipping Companies (the rederij Blussé ) to find out how individual firms responded structural changes such as to the end of the protection by the Dutch Trading Company after the 1860’s and the introduction of efficient steamships around 1870.
Time Table
Semester I, see timetables.
Method of Instruction
Lecture and tutorial; attendance is compulsory (see the rules and regulations of the Department of
History, art. 2).
Course objectives
Students will acquire insights in recent discussions about the Dutch role in intercontinental andcolonial trade and shipping in the 19th century; they will improve their ability to conduct research in primary sources, and produce a well structured paper.
Required reading
Broeze, F.J.A., De stad Schiedam. De Schiedamsche Scheepsreederij en de Nederlandse vaart op Oost-Indië omstreeks 1840 (Werken uitgegeven door de Linschoten-Vereeniging 80; Den Haag 1978);
F.S. Gaastra, Vragen over de koopvaardij. De ‘Enquête omtrent den toestand van de Nederlandsche koopvaardijvloot’ uit 1874 en de achteruitgang van de handelsvloot (Inaugurele rede, Leiden: Universiteit Leiden, 20-02-2004)
Examination
Presentations and paper.
Information
With the tutors: Prof. Dr. F.S. Gaastra: f.s.gaastra@hum.leidenuniv.nl and dr. H. den Heijer
Blackboard/Website
Blackboard will be used for exchange of information.
Remarks
Students should be able to read Dutch archival sources.
Enrolment
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