Da liberdade dos mares: guerra e comércio na expansão neerlandesa para o Atlântico

Abstract

This article is a reflection upon Mare Liberum, by Hugo Grotius, published in 1609. Our argument is that in this text we can find principles which legitimize The Netherlands maritime expansion during the first half of the XVII century even against the Iberian expectations of keeping control over the maritime routes and the new land discovered in the beginning of the modern age. In a complementary way, a reading of a pamphlet written by Ian Andries Moerbeeck besides making clear the reason of the invasion of Brazil by the Netherlanders, allow us to identify the economical and political aspects of this investment.