A maritime-based commercial system, employed by European powers primarily from the 16th to 18th centuries, sought to control trade routes by establishing fortified stations. Rather than acquiring large territories, the objective involved dominating commerce through strategic placement of these centers. These outposts served as hubs for collecting tariffs, controlling the flow of goods, and projecting naval power. Portugal’s activities in the Indian Ocean during this period provide a prime instance. They aimed to regulate spice distribution to Europe by requiring merchant vessels to purchase permits and pay duties at their strategically located settlements.
This framework offered certain advantages. It required fewer resources and personnel compared to establishing and maintaining large-scale territorial colonies. The focus on controlling key waterways and nodes in the trading network allowed for efficient extraction of wealth. This system had a profound impact on global trade patterns. It facilitated the exchange of goods between continents, spurred economic development in some regions, and led to shifts in global power dynamics. However, the enforcement of trade monopolies and imposition of tariffs often resulted in conflicts with local populations and rival European powers.
