THE SPICES TRADE ROUTE IN MOLLUCAS IN THE XVI AND XVII CENTURIES

Abstract

This study aims to describe the spice trade system concerning the colonial trading network in Mollucas. In the XVI and VII centuries, Mollucas had an essential role in inter-regional connectivity in the Archipelago. Traders came from all over the world in search of spices. Several Indonesian commodities have become essential in international trade. In the sixteenth century, many Europeans entered the Archipelago's trade network, driven by the high demand for spices. In this study, the historical method used heuristics is the initial stage of tracking sources. Furthermore, source criticism, this stage selects valid sources. The next stage of interpretation is done by linking and analyzing existing sources. The final stage is historiography to rewrite the interpretation results in the results of the study. This research concludes that in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Mollucas was known as a center for clove and nutmeg production (the Spice Islands). The trading network of the past has placed spices as the primary commodity. In the context of global trade, a trade network is formed that connects the Western world as consumers and the Eastern world as commodity producers.