Definitions for "Amboyna massacre"
The Amboyna massacre occurred because of the intense rivalry between the East India companies of England and Holland in the spice trade. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a trading post at Amboyna (Ambon Island) in the Molucca Islands in 1609 by driving out the previously established Portuguese factors. The British East India Company established a factory (trading station) nearby at Cambello in 1615.