VI.

Conclusion

At its height in the mid-17th century, the Dutch Empire was one of the greatest maritime economic organizations in history; it continued to support the Dutch economy well into the 20th century. It began as economic expedience, and although the Dutch were proud of their administration, it was never a crusading empire like the Spanish one. The Dutch became great in Europe through their seaborne empire, joined in the imperialist adventure at the end of the 19th century, and, like their fellow European powers, were obliged to dispose of most of their colonial assets after World War II, leaving them with a multicultural society and a post-colonial legacy of historic ties and residual guilt.