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Questions and Answers
Who was primarily responsible for governance in early modern Amsterdam?
Who was primarily responsible for governance in early modern Amsterdam?
What was the main purpose of the petitions in early modern Amsterdam?
What was the main purpose of the petitions in early modern Amsterdam?
Which body or position had the greatest influence in Amsterdam's legal system?
Which body or position had the greatest influence in Amsterdam's legal system?
In what way did the governance structure of Amsterdam differ from a typical separation of powers?
In what way did the governance structure of Amsterdam differ from a typical separation of powers?
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Which group was most likely to initiate petitions in 18th century Amsterdam?
Which group was most likely to initiate petitions in 18th century Amsterdam?
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What was a key difference between early trading companies and the VOC?
What was a key difference between early trading companies and the VOC?
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What significant change did the VOC implement regarding capital?
What significant change did the VOC implement regarding capital?
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What was the primary reason for the Qing government's concern regarding trade during the Ming-Qing transition?
What was the primary reason for the Qing government's concern regarding trade during the Ming-Qing transition?
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What does the term 'public organization' refer to in the context of the VOC?
What does the term 'public organization' refer to in the context of the VOC?
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Which voyage is particularly associated with Zheng He and the Yongle Emperor?
Which voyage is particularly associated with Zheng He and the Yongle Emperor?
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What form of governance characterized the structure on Formosa in the early seventeenth century?
What form of governance characterized the structure on Formosa in the early seventeenth century?
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What was a major issue regarding gambling for the VOC and its Chinese subjects?
What was a major issue regarding gambling for the VOC and its Chinese subjects?
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What can be inferred from Chinese petitions to the VOC?
What can be inferred from Chinese petitions to the VOC?
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What distinguishes the Company-State as an institution?
What distinguishes the Company-State as an institution?
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Which feature of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) set it apart from earlier colonial empires?
Which feature of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) set it apart from earlier colonial empires?
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What governance structure did the States-General establish for the West Indies Company (WIC)?
What governance structure did the States-General establish for the West Indies Company (WIC)?
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What was a key characteristic of patoonships in Dutch colonization?
What was a key characteristic of patoonships in Dutch colonization?
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What role did the VOC play in regard to long-distance trade?
What role did the VOC play in regard to long-distance trade?
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Which of the following statements about the governance of New Amsterdam is true?
Which of the following statements about the governance of New Amsterdam is true?
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What tactical structure did the Order of Administration of 1629 grant to the WIC?
What tactical structure did the Order of Administration of 1629 grant to the WIC?
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Which of the following was a principal–agent problem faced by the Company-State?
Which of the following was a principal–agent problem faced by the Company-State?
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Study Notes
Global Legal History: Early Modern Cities
- Module focuses on global cities in the early modern age
- Topics include law and governance in Amsterdam, the company-state, global cities of early modern Formosa, Batavia, and New Amsterdam.
- Slides also cover the properties of the urban system, particularly zones of expanding and contracting potential (1500, 1600, and 1750).
Amsterdam's Governance Structure
- Amsterdam's governance lacked a separation of powers, instead dividing tasks
- Key roles included Burgomasters (governance), City Council (advice), Sheriff and Aldermen (justice), and Magistrate (law-making).
- Other elements consist of a Senior Council, Great Senior Council, Burgomasters (4), Aldermen (9), Bureaucracy (ca. 3000 urban officials)
Bottom-up Petitions
- Petitions were a bottom-up method to create or change local by-laws
- Petitions were used, especially in the 18th century where over 50% came from guilds or guild members. Many were eventually adopted as by-laws.
- A significant number from 1801 shows 51 guilds and 14,000 members.
Amsterdam's Legal System
- Amsterdam's legal system had subaltern courts (e.g., Chamber of Marital Affairs, Chamber of Insolvent & Abandoned Estates).
- Higher-level courts had more Romano-Canonical procedure influence
- Strategic use of law allowed for out-of-court settlements and maneuverability, many cases didn't even reach final verdict.
- Re-auditions, Urban Courts, and Subaltern Courts, as well as informal conflict resolution (e.g., brokers at the Weighing House).
The 'Company-State'
- A hybrid institution bridging rulers' ambition and means
- Engine of capitalism, forerunner of modern MNCs
- Legal personality, limited liability, joint-stock ownership
- Key aspect of imperialism, endowed with extensive sovereign power.
- Conducted diplomacy; raised military forces and administered civil and criminal justice.
- Monopoly-holders in certain geographic areas with charters were vital to pool capital for risky global trade ventures.
- The complexity of the system also led to issues like the Principal-Agent problem.
New Amsterdam
- States-General, WIC= Lords XIX and council consisting of Director, 2 WIC officials, and 2 colonists
- Later expanded to include ship captains.
- This structure also had an Order of Administration with high jurisdiction for corporal punishment for the council.
The 'Dutch Moment'
- Focuses on comparing the Dutch East and West India Companies (VOC and WIC) to earlier Portuguese and Spanish colonial empires.
- The differences between the VOC and earlier Dutch companies
- An analysis of how these companies merged into a larger corporation.
- A summary of the VOC's role as a Company-State, including its organizational structure and methods of capital accumulation.
Trading Companies
- Early Companies: Personal contacts, fixed temporal scope (3-4 years)
- VOC: 'Public' organization, trade & colonization, long-term investment (21 years).
- Both: Share trade through bookkeepers, some capital was raised publicly.
- The ways in which the VOC functioned as a company-state were notable examples of public-private hybrid entities.
Zheng He's Voyages
- Voyages (1405-1433) led by Yongle Emperor
- Examined conflicts between eunuchs and bureaucrats.
- Emphasized the importance of agriculture compared to trade wealth.
Early Modern China
- Shipping from Fujian to Nanyang was common (100-150 ships annually).
- The Dutch presence in Formosa (Taiwan) between 1624-1662 is mentioned.
- The transition from Ming to Qing (1644-1683) involved 'great pirate' Zheng Chenggong.
- Regulations about trade heavily enforced during this time, including in Canton from the 1680s onward. Trade and tribute were systematized, along with security merchants.
Chinese Petitions to the Dutch East India Company
- Discusses the concept of on-the-spot negotiation and its importance in understanding Dutch practices during colonization.
- Examines the hybrid nature of government and political structures on Formosa in the early 17th century.
- Investigates gambling as a touchy legal matter for both VOC and Chinese subjects and how these petitions illustrate politics and law-making under colonialism.
A 'Chinese' Merchant Empire?
- Batavia (1619) quickly populated by Chinese migrants.
- Dominated economic infrastructure by 1644.
- Formal and informal ties with VOC.
- Flourishing sugar industry and growing tensions with the VOC led to a Batavia massacre in 1740.
- The topic also covers how court disputes and punishments for individuals concerned the locals' violation of imperial permission in gravesites.
Next Class: Common Law
- The next class will cover common law
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Description
Explore the governance and legal systems of early modern global cities like Amsterdam, Batavia, and New Amsterdam. This quiz delves into the unique urban structures, the role of petitions for local law changes, and the organization of city governance. Test your knowledge on how these elements shaped the urban experience in the early modern age.
