Likewise here, Ruth. The VOC is of course a feature for Dutch history lessons, but the real detail and extent, you only learn it later (and Geni is GOOD for that).
Let's keep in mind that this is indeed a VERY big topic. The VOC is generally regarded as the world's first true megacorporation, operating by principles that companies work by today (shareholders, dividends...). Also, a bank was set up in Holland (Wisselbank) - not the oldest bank in the world but probably again a bank operating in ways that still influence banks today. All this worked on the back of the Wars of Religion, in a place that had the world's only republic.
Interesting point about 'greed and killing'. Greed definitely so LOL. But, perhaps the killing not more and even less than other colonizers. The VOC set out to trade, not really to acquire territory (perhaps because it was a republic with no power-hungry monarch at the top?). In fact, it is broadly considered that the Dutch colonizers were quite opportunitistic and understood that having honest and good relations with the 'locals' was beneficial to trade. Trade is the only thing that mattered.
What's really interesting about this topic is that the VOC cannot really be compared with the colonial ambitions of other powers. There's a lot of nuance. Of course, there was a lot of tragedy, no doubt, but then perhaps especially so when the VOC ceased to exist and when Holland became a Kingdom and became a real colonizer (like others). There are very distinct phases.
Honestly, one learns a lot by digging into the genealogical aspect of things. When learning about the people behind, you start to see the nuances. (It's a great voyage for me :-) )
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