EPISODE · Jul 3, 2026 · 8 MIN
The Dutch Gun Trade: How Amsterdam Armed the World
from The Story of the Netherlands: Trade, Empire, and Innovation — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
In Episode 135, Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known engine of the Dutch Golden Age: the arms trade. From the siege of Antwerp in 1585 to the delftware cannon that never fired, they trace how Amsterdam became Europe's arsenal. Learn about the role of the Wisselbank in financing weapons, the secret of Dutch gunpowder, and the surprising trade with the Ottoman Empire. Discover how the Dutch East India Company armed its fleets, and how the arms trade shaped everything from the Eighty Years' War to the global balance of power. Lucas explains the technology of Dutch cannon foundries, the rise of the Zaandam windmill-powered gunpowder mills, and the controversial sale of weapons to both sides in European conflicts. This episode offers a fresh look at Dutch innovation and commerce through the lens of war and industry. #DutchArmsTrade #Zaandam #CannonFoundry #Gunpowder #VOC #Wisselbank #EightyYearsWar #OttomanEmpire #Delftware #Militair #Geschiedenis #Amsterdam #Salpeter #Kruithuis #CornelisDrebbel #Gouda #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
In Episode 135, Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known engine of the Dutch Golden Age: the arms trade. From the siege of Antwerp in 1585 to the delftware cannon that never fired, they trace how Amsterdam became Europe's arsenal. Learn about the role of the Wisselbank in financing weapons, the secret of Dutch gunpowder, and the surprising trade with the Ottoman Empire. Discover how the Dutch East India Company armed its fleets, and how the arms trade shaped everything from the Eighty Years' War to the global balance of power. Lucas explains the technology of Dutch cannon foundries, the rise of the Zaandam windmill-powered gunpowder mills, and the controversial sale of weapons to both sides in European conflicts. This episode offers a fresh look at Dutch innovation and commerce through the lens of war and industry. #DutchArmsTrade #Zaandam #CannonFoundry #Gunpowder #VOC #Wisselbank #EightyYearsWar #OttomanEmpire #Delftware #Militair #Geschiedenis #Amsterdam #Salpeter #Kruithuis #CornelisDrebbel #Gouda #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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The Dutch Gun Trade: How Amsterdam Armed the World
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