On December 10th, the Institute of European Studies at UC Berkeley hosted Marc Frey, a distinguished professor of the history of international relations at the University of Armed Forces in Munich, for a lecture titled Tensions of Empire: Writing Dutch Colonial History. Delivered to an audience of around twelve attendees, Frey shared his approaches to writing imperial history and discussed the process of his current book on Dutch colonialism. The lecture focused on the complexities and contradictions of Dutch colonial history, exploring key biographies from the 17th to 20th centuries.
Frey’s presentation emphasized the central role of violence in Dutch empire-building and trade practices, arguing that structural and military violence were not peripheral but intrinsic to the empire’s operations. This theme underscored his analysis, as he examined how these violent practices shaped the trajectory of Dutch colonialism through the centuries.
The lecture began with an exploration of possible frameworks for understanding Dutch imperial history, including capitalism, globalization, and the centrality of violence in colonial systems. Frey used biographical case studies to illustrate these themes, focusing on figures who exemplified empire-building, transnationalism, slavery, governance, and nationalism.
The first case study centered on Jan Pieterszoon Coen (1587–1629), a prominent figure in the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Frey described Coen’s orchestration of the genocide of the Banda Islands’ population to establish a nutmeg monopoly as emblematic of the brutality underpinning Dutch imperial expansion. He also highlighted Coen’s role in founding Jakarta, which became a major center of inter-Asian trade. Despite his violent legacy, Coen continues to be celebrated in parts of the Netherlands, reflecting ongoing debates about the memory of colonial figures.
Frey then discussed Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717), a German naturalist and artist whose work highlighted the transnational dimensions of the Dutch empire. Merian’s scientific achievements during her stay in Suriname (1699–1700) provided the first detailed depictions of the region’s flora and environment. However, Frey also addressed her involvement in the slave economy, complicating her legacy and raising questions about complicity in colonial violence.
The third biography examined Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), a Javanese noblewoman and early feminist who critiqued both colonialism and gender inequality. Kartini’s advocacy for women’s education and empowerment in Java exposed the intersection of colonial oppression and gendered hierarchies. Frey portrayed her as a national icon in Indonesia and an example of the agency exhibited by colonized subjects in shaping nationalist movements.
Frey’s discussion of the Aceh War (1873–1904) highlighted the Dutch empire’s reliance on counterinsurgency and military violence. He examined figures such as Cut Nyak Dhien, an Acehnese resistance leader, and Christian Snouck Hurgronje, a Dutch orientalist who developed counterinsurgency tactics, to show the interplay between colonial governance, military strategy, and indigenous resistance.
Finally, Frey analyzed the life of Sukarno (1901–1970), Indonesia’s first president, to demonstrate the violent nature of decolonization. Sukarno’s leadership during Indonesia’s struggle for independence (1942–1949) was shaped by a colonial education system that simultaneously oppressed and politicized Indonesians. Frey highlighted how the struggle for independence became one of the largest military operations in Dutch history, showcasing the enduring impact of colonial violence.
Frey concluded the lecture by reflecting on the historiography of Dutch colonialism, noting that while Dutch literature does acknowledge colonial violence, it often fails to capture its structural and pervasive nature. He expressed hope that his forthcoming book will critically engage with these histories, emphasizing the global implications of Dutch imperialism.
Overall, Frey’s lecture offered valuable insights into the methodologies and narratives that shape our understanding of Dutch colonial history. By confronting the legacies of colonial violence and exploring their global impacts, Frey invited the audience to reconsider how such histories are written and remembered today.