Red Ocean Strategies For The English East India Company

The East India Company (EIC) was founded in the 1600s and formed by John Watts and George White. This particular trading company dominated global trade between Europe and East Asia and dealt in the exchange of commodities such as Cotton, Silk, Indigo Dye, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Saltpetre and Tea. The English East India Company also initiated the ‘British Raj’ within the Indian subcontinent. 

The East India Company operated to transport goods between Europe and the East Indies ( Asia). Their ships, were known as ‘East Indiamen’ and were some of the largest ships of the time. Concurrently, the English East India Company was probably one of the most powerful cooperations in history, and formulated their own naval army to conquer and colonise modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma. 

Shark Infested ‘Red Ocean Strategies’ For The English East India Company

Whilst the English East India Company initially planned to dominate and capitalise on the ‘Spice Market’ of South-East-Asia, unfortunately, for them, the Dutch ( Dutch East India company) also known as ‘VOC’, which translates into ‘Vereenigde Oost-Indische Comagne’ had other ideas. Although both companies shared a similar name, they were absolutely not of the same, and formed to dominate separated markets. 

The ‘Dutch East India Company’ fiercely dominated and protected trading within Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. They also had trading posts in Japan, Taiwan, and other parts of Southeast Asia. The ‘VOC’ initially gained a huge advantage over the British, establishing a strong presence in the ‘Spice Islands’ , whilst implementing policies that limited British access. 

‘The Amboyna Massacre’ 

The Amboyna Massacre was a consequence of intense competition and rivalry between the two companies for the control over the ‘Spice Trade’ This massacre, became a symbol of Dutch Cruelty and sparked outrage across Britain. The massacre included the torture and execution of ten English India Company employees, nine Japanese merchants and one Dutch India Company employee.  The ‘VOC’ accused the men of plotting a conspiracy to seize control of a castle and assassinate Dutch officials, which the English East India Company disputed. This incident highlighted a vulnerability within Britain and led to a greater military power to protect its interests. 

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