The Dutch didn't have colonies all over the world. They instead focused on influencing and controlling trade. This built the Dutch an incredible wealth. This was similar to what the Portuguese had done at the beginning of the age of exploration. They didn't have large areas of land. Instead a few key cities to help them control the sea trade routes to Asia. This gave them a monopoly. The Dutch companies would use their wealth to gain an upper hand in areas that often time legally gave them a monopoly by the government.