For four centuries, Indonesia--the world's largest archipelago--was ruled by the Dutch. Who knew? Famed as a source of cash crops like nutmeg, coffee, indigo, and sugar, the Dutch East Indies was the jewel of the Dutch Empire.
Greg Conte and William discuss the strange and exotic chapter in colonial history.
Books mentioned:
Bernard Vlekke, The Story of the Dutch East Indies
Roger Crowley, The Conquerors (about the rise of the Portuguese Empire in the Indian Ocean)
[TRIGGER WARNING: There are many tasteless jokes at the expense of Dutch people, Dutch "language", and Dutch "culture" in this episode.]