The History of Run Island

Swap Island Run Rolls for New Amsterdam

Early 16th century. Together with the Portuguese, British and Spanish, the Dutch were involved in a competition to find the spice islands in order to dominate the spice trade. At that time, cloves and nutmeg were expensive and everyone wanted the profits of Arab and Asian traders who kept Banda’s location a secret.

When the Dutch finally found Banda, they tried to protect the spices by forming a VOC company. With brutal tactics, including massacring all the indigenous people of Banda, they took control of the nutmeg plantations—a spice that is useful not only for cooking but is also believed to be a cure for various diseases such as the bubonic plague.

In 1616, the British succeeded in controlling one of the islands in Banda, named Pulau Run which was 3.2 kilometers long and one kilometer wide. This is where the British made their first colony and formed the English East India Company as well as proclaimed British colonialism.

The English East India Company was only able to defend Run from Dutch attacks for four years. However, the British did not immediately let go of the island.

In 1664, as an act of revenge, four English frigates were sent across the Atlantic Ocean to seize the territory that the Dutch had as New Amsterdam. The territory of 2,000 people on the southern tip of Manhattan Island was quickly seized.

Then, in 1677, the two countries concluded an agreement known as the Treaty of Breda or the Treaty of Breda in which Run Island, which was controlled by the British, was handed over to the Netherlands. As for New Amsterdam, which was controlled by the Dutch, it was handed over to England. By the British Government, New Amsterdam was renamed New York.

Reference :  compiled from various sources.
https://www.bandanaira.net/2017/10/island-run-kejualan-banda-yang-ditukar-gulingkan-enggris-dengan-manhattan.html