re: Who Had the Greatest Colonial Power in History?

quote:

---

quote:

---

Were the Dutch a colonial power?

---

the Dutch were more businessmen /privateers.

---

The dutch were smart. They had a few key places that were rich in resources and low in problems (people) and a few key transit stations. It made them rich and gave them little administrattive and military problems.

Contrast that with the Brits, French, Spanish, that all wanted territory. They got some resources, and a lot of grief. They were always putting down rebellion somewhere and fighting each other for territory. The Spanish also had no idea how to govern so they appointed leaders that would steal, or were presumed to steal, and then they were recalled and hung usually. Not a recipe for long-term success and you can see how, culturally, it handicapped the latin american nations. None of them are economic superpowers nor ever will be, at least not in the next 250 years.