The Dutch East Indies was a colonial territory in Southeast Asia, primarily consisting of the modern-day nation of Indonesia. It was established in the early 17th century by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to control the lucrative spice trade. The region was rich in natural resources, including spices, rubber, and oil, which attracted European powers. The Dutch maintained control over the islands for over three centuries, implementing a system of plantation agriculture and trade. After World War II, the struggle for independence led to the eventual formation of the Republic of Indonesia in 1945, marking the end of Dutch colonial rule.