| dc.description.abstract | The Dutch East India Company was the first multinational corporation in the history of humankind. Throughout the seventeenth and much of the eighteenth century, the company thrived. Both its trading posts and the number of its employees increased throughout the years. However, this success story came to a halt at some point during the eighteenth century, perhaps even before. All the way back to the nineteenth century, historians have discussed various causes of the decline of the Dutch East India Company. However, no one has written a historiographical analysis of the topic. Thus, the main aim of this master thesis is to produce a historiographical analysis of the decline of the Dutch East India Company. This historiographical analysis revolves around the viewpoints of five authors who have sought to explain the decline of the Dutch East India Company. Together, these authors represent the most widespread explanations to the decline of the VOC. The emphasis in this paper will not only be on the literature of these authors, but also on their personal background, as well as elements of historical theory and methods. In each chapter, the respective scholar will be compared to his/her preceding scholar, in chronological order. In addition, there is an introduction, a background chapter and a conclusion. | nob |