Question

By the late 1700s, most of Indonesia was under the control of the

a. Portuguese.
b. Dutch.
c. Chinese.
d. Arabs.

Answer 1

By the late 1700s, most of Indonesia was under the control of the Dutch, who governed through the Dutch East India Company, a significant force in the spice trade.

Step-by-step explanation:

By the late 1700s, the correct answer is that most of Indonesia was under the control of the Dutch. The Dutch established a significant presence in Indonesia starting in the early 17th century through the Dutch East India Company (DEIC), which was founded in 1602. The company operated much like its own nation, complete with its own military, and quickly became an essential force in the spice trade. They took over the city of Malacca from the Portuguese in 1641, strengthening their grip on the region, and by the 18th century, they had secured control of the spice trade with monopolies in commodities like nutmeg and cinnamon. The DEIC appointed governors to rule over Indonesia and went as far as to burn excess spices to maintain high prices and maximize profits.

Answer 2

a. Portuguese sounds like the best answer