Tekstblad met het begin en eind van de beschrijving van de overwinning op de Portugese vloot voor Bantam, 1601 1603 - 1610

This broadside by Claes Jansz. Visscher describes the Dutch victory over the Portuguese fleet at Bantam in 1601. It offers a glimpse into the intense competition between European powers for control over trade routes and resources in the East Indies. As the Dutch expanded their influence, encounters like the battle at Bantam shaped a new global order, one built on mercantile power and military might. The text doesn't only recount a battle; it reflects the intertwined ambitions, anxieties, and justifications of Dutch expansionism. These historical texts played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and national identity. They constructed narratives of heroism, piety, and cultural superiority while often obscuring the violence, exploitation, and cultural erasure that accompanied colonization. This document invites us to reflect on the stories we tell about ourselves and the legacies of colonialism that continue to shape our world.