Effects Of Spice Trade On Indonesia

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Spices, the sweet aroma of which for many evokes warm memories of the holiday season. Put into pumpkin pies, caramel lattes, eggnog, spiced apple breads and hot chocolate. However, spices hold a secret and history that isn’t nearly as sweet as the treats its baked into. Indonesia’s long history cannot be separated by the all famous lucrative spice trade. Maritime trade for spices and other precious commodities along the Spice routes/Maritime Silk Road/Monsoon Marketplace/Indian Ocean trade was a melting pot for cross-cultural exchanges including not only precious commodities but also knowledge, religions, languages, people groups, artistic and scientific skills amongst countries including Indonesia. Indonesia back then was the center and heart of spice growth. The trade market of the commodities of Indonesia, especially spices, impacted Indonesia’s economy, religion and arts short term and long term? The lucrative spice trade performed a significant effect on Indonesia’s economy and wealth. It was the world’s largest trade industry during the 13th-15th century; the spices led to the discovery of lands, establishments of countries and raised and destroyed empires. Three reasons behind why the spice trade impacted Indonesia’s economy are shown in the Malaccan Empire, Europe and the Dutch monopoly. The Strait of Malacca connected the Spice Islands with Eurasian markets and it was crucial in its success. The trade traffic occurring in this narrow strait created enormous wealth

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