Overview
This lecture covers the Dutch colony of New Netherland, focusing on its economic motives, interactions with Native Americans, and eventual takeover by the English.
The Dutch Empire and New Netherland
- The Dutch were a leading trading empire in the early modern period, emphasizing open trade and low shipping rates.
- New Netherland was located in present-day New York, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut.
- The colony’s largest city was New Amsterdam, now known as New York City.
- The Dutch prioritized economic productivity and tolerance for private religious worship if it contributed to the economy.
Economy and Settlement Patterns
- The primary economic activity was the fur trade, with some agriculture by settlers.
- Dutch settlements included trading posts, towns, and occasionally cities.
- The colony had more settlers than the French or Spanish but far fewer than the English.
Relations with Native Americans
- The Dutch mainly traded with the Iroquois Confederation, a union of five (later six) tribes in upstate New York.
- The Iroquois viewed the Dutch as potential partners in their "longhouse" confederation.
- The Dutch participated in Iroquois ceremonies as a business necessity but were less generous with gifts than the French.
- Tensions existed over differing views of friendship and business, but trade relations generally remained stable.
The Fall of New Netherland
- Sandwiched between English colonies, the Dutch lacked the military power to defend New Netherland.
- In 1664, the English captured New Netherland, renaming it New York after the Duke of York.
Key Terms & Definitions
- New Netherland — Dutch colony in present-day New York and New Jersey.
- New Amsterdam — Largest Dutch city in New Netherland; now New York City.
- Iroquois Confederation — Alliance of Native American tribes in the region, important trading partners for the Dutch.
- Peter Stuyvesant — Last Dutch director-general of New Netherland, known for his peg leg.
- Fur Trade — The main economic activity, involving trade of animal pelts with Native Americans.
- Wall Street — Named after a wall that once existed in Dutch New Amsterdam.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the characteristics of Dutch colonialism and compare them to other European powers for exam preparation.
- Study the Iroquois Confederation’s structure and role in colonial trade relations.