Spice Road of the Archipelago

The Silk Road once dominated global trade routes. In fact, we also have trade routes that brought prosperity to the nations of Europe. Yes, that route is the Spice Road of the Archipelago. The Silk Road is a trade route that connects China to South Asia, West Asia, and Europe. This route was dominated by land routes. However, entering the Middle Ages, the Silk Road suddenly became quiet. This happened since the maritime routes used by ocean explorers to seek prosperity with their main commodity, spices, were discovered.

The Treaty of Zaragoza

The advancement of maritime activities in the world has given rise to two shipping giants, namely Spain and Portugal. The competition to pursue prosperity through the control of spices all the way to the ends of the earth was undertaken by both. Until Spain arrived in Maluku, which was under Portuguese control. Conflict was inevitable. The Portuguese rode on the Sultanate of Ternate to gain a monopoly on spice trade. The same was done by Spain, by forging an alliance with the Sultanate of Tidore. In the end, they both went to war. Because of the prolonged and endless war, they finally agreed to make a treaty. They agreed that Portugal would control the entire continent of Asia and other islands that had already been discovered. Meanwhile, Spain obtained territories in the Pacific Ocean and the Philippines. The agreement signed on April 22, 1529, is known as the Treaty of Saragossa.

Nusantara's Geo-economics

What was contested in the Treaty of Saragossa was the control of spices, which became a new source of prosperity. It was as if it was destined that the Archipelago would become a key player in bringing prosperity to the world. In addition to the source of prosperity in the form of spices, the Indonesian region has become one of the world's most important shipping routes. It is recorded that we have four out of the seven main shipping straits in the world. The four straits are the Strait of Malacca, the Sunda Strait, the Lombok Strait, and the Makassar Strait. The highly strategic location of Indonesia was able to amaze European explorers and make them want to conquer it.

This historical evidence encourages us, the next generation, to reopen the potential of spices to the global market.

What can be learned from the Spice Route?

The spices of the Archipelago have brought Portugal, Spain, England, and even the Netherlands to their golden ages. European countries became prosperous and wealthy because of the spice supply. They came in droves with the main pretext of trading with the local communities. However, with military power, they tried to monopolize trade for their maximum profit. Now that spice commodities can be supplied from any part of the world.

The main global trade has shifted

From what is on the surface of the land, to what is beneath the ground. From spices, to minerals, and of course, petroleum. However, the shift in the world's main trade commodities still cannot displace the strategic role of the Indonesian nation. Because of its location, we remain on the global trade route. Whereas, in terms of trade commodities, we are also rich in mineral resources. In the era of globalization, relationships with all nations in the world are unavoidable. Including trade relations. Therefore, we should be selective and critical of all natural resources that will be jointly managed or traded with other nations. Hopefully, the Indonesian nation and people, as beneficiaries of this strategic position, can maintain and utilize this geographical advantage into a unique leverage. So that the Spice Route of the Archipelago can transform into one of the pillars of the prosperity of the Indonesian people.