Initial Conquest

The Portuguese were the first people to conquer the land of Indonesia in the 16th century. The reason for their conquest was trade exploitation (B). The main good that was traded was the spices, making Portugal and many other European countries wanting to settle there (A). They first went to the lands of Moluccas (Maluku) and established trading posts in 1512 and began to convert people into Christianity (B). During this time, the Dutch invaded and decided take control over the islands. They first captured Melaka from the Portuguese and established a new foothold in Jakarta (C). Wanting all the islands, no one was allowed to sail in the waters near Indonesia or they would attack them. Finally they took over the Indonesian archipelago and renamed Indonesia, the Dutch East Indies (B).