Alternative History
Register
m (addenda)
m (addenda (WIP))
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| demonym =
 
| demonym =
 
| regime = Colony of the [[Dutch Republic (Cromwell the Great)|Dutch Republic]] administered by the Dutch West India Company (1614-1682), Generality Land of the Dutch Republic (1682 to date)
 
| regime = Colony of the [[Dutch Republic (Cromwell the Great)|Dutch Republic]] administered by the Dutch West India Company (1614-1682), Generality Land of the Dutch Republic (1682 to date)
| governing_body =Council of New Netherland (Raad van Nieuw-Nederland, 1675-...)
+
| governing_body =States General<ref>Replacing the Council of New Netherland (Raad van Nieuw-Nederland, 1675-1796)</ref>
 
| royal_house = <!--Name of the royal house (or other additional info for Head of State).-->
 
| royal_house = <!--Name of the royal house (or other additional info for Head of State).-->
 
| royal_house_title = <!--Title of the additional info on Head of State.-->
 
| royal_house_title = <!--Title of the additional info on Head of State.-->
 
| HoPlist =
 
| HoPlist =
| HoPtitle =States General of the Dutch Republic
+
| HoPtitle =
 
| HoPname =
 
| HoPname =
 
| DHoPlist =
 
| DHoPlist =
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The '''New Netherland''' (Dutch: Nieuw-Nederland, Latin: Nova Hollandica or Novum Hollandium) is colonial province (generality land) of the [[Dutch Republic (Cromwell the Great)|Dutch Republic]] located on the East Coast of North America. The claimed territories extended from the Chesapeake Peninsula to extreme southwestern Cape Cod. The principal settlements are on the islands of Manhattan and Long Iceland and along the rivers Hudson, Delaware and Connecticut.
 
The '''New Netherland''' (Dutch: Nieuw-Nederland, Latin: Nova Hollandica or Novum Hollandium) is colonial province (generality land) of the [[Dutch Republic (Cromwell the Great)|Dutch Republic]] located on the East Coast of North America. The claimed territories extended from the Chesapeake Peninsula to extreme southwestern Cape Cod. The principal settlements are on the islands of Manhattan and Long Iceland and along the rivers Hudson, Delaware and Connecticut.
   
It limits to the Northwest with the lands of [[Iroquois (Cromwell the Great)|Iroquois Confederacy]] (a Dutch protectorate since 1708), Northeast with the [[New England Confederation (Cromwell the Great)|New England Confederation]] and Southeast with [[Maryland (Cromwell the Great)|Maryland]].
+
It limits to the Northwest with the lands of [[Iroquois (Cromwell the Great)|Iroquois Confederacy]] (a Dutch protectorate since 1708), northeast with the [[New England Confederation (Cromwell the Great)|New England Confederation]] and southeast with [[Maryland (Cromwell the Great)|Maryland]].
   
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 84: Line 84:
   
 
In 1724 Stadtholder Johan Willem Friso issued a New Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions based on a proposition of the Council of New Netherland. This charter takes most of its provisions from the British Claim of Rights Act of 1702.
 
In 1724 Stadtholder Johan Willem Friso issued a New Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions based on a proposition of the Council of New Netherland. This charter takes most of its provisions from the British Claim of Rights Act of 1702.
  +
  +
The European Revolutionary Wars (1790-1810) and the French invasion of the Netherlands cut the immediate communications and political ties that New Netherland had with the Metropolis. The political and social crisis that followed led to drastic measures and decisions. Director-General Pieter Van Alst, assumed full control and aligned a wide political compact breaking with the previous sectarian politics that characterized New Netherland. Important measures were to establish a permanent army and navy and an alliance with the British colonies. Having de facto full home rule Van Alst called for a constitutional convention to draft and approve a constitution. The Constitution of 1796 established a new state administration
   
 
==Colonization==
 
==Colonization==
 
[[File:Img p4 ship.png |thumb|Ship arriving to New Amsterdam]]
 
[[File:Img p4 ship.png |thumb|Ship arriving to New Amsterdam]]
The Patroonship plan of 1628 granted large tracts of land and gave the rights to the land as well as legal rights to settle all non-capital cases, quite similar to a manorial lord. In return the Patroon would agree to bring over settlers and colonize the land at his own expense. Additionally Patroons were allowed to trade with New England and Virginia and to engage in both the fur trade, subject to a company tax and could participate in the fish trade.
+
The Patroonship plan of 1628 granted large tracts of land and gave the rights to the land as well as legal rights to settle all non-capital cases, quite similar to a manorial lord. In return the Patroon would agree to bring over settlers and colonize the land at his own expense. Additionally Patroons were allowed to trade with New England and Maryland and to engage in both the fur trade, subject to a company tax and could participate in the fish trade.
   
Under the Patroonship plan New Netherland expand with more colonists and settlements taking hold. The nerve center of New Netherland was along the Hudson River from New Amsterdam north-west to Fort Orange.
+
Under the Patroonship plan, New Netherland expand with more colonists and settlements taking hold. The nerve center of New Netherland was along the Hudson River from New Amsterdam north-west to Fort Orange.
   
 
==The North River Treaty==
 
==The North River Treaty==
In March 1663 the Iroquois and Dutch West India Company (WIC) envoys meet at Fort Orange to sign the North River Treaty. This was the result of proposal by the WIC. After several month of negotiations both delegations meet to sign the Treaty and exchange gifts. The Treaty defined the relationship between both parties. The Dutch were giving open access to Iroquois and establish factorijs (trade posts), forts and schools, and the Iroquois given freedom of movement and commerce in New Netherlands and New Amsterdam. Exchange of food in case of scarcity and free trade between the two parties. The WIC guaranteed the supply of guns and munitions. Mutual recognition of the titles of the Iroquois plantoonships and Dutch purchases in Iroquois lands. both parties could buy and sell land in their territories. Finally each year at the same date the envoys would meet to exchange gifts, complains and suggestions. Legal issues would also be addressed in these meetings.
+
In March 1663 the Iroquois and Dutch West India Company (WIC) envoys meet at Fort Orange to sign the North River Treaty. This was the result of proposal by the WIC. After several month of negotiations both delegations meet to sign the Treaty and exchange gifts. The Treaty defined the relationship between both parties. The Dutch were giving open access to Iroquois and establish factorijs (trade posts), forts and schools, and the Iroquois given freedom of movement and commerce in New Netherlands and New Amsterdam. Exchange of food in case of scarcity and free trade between the two parties. The WIC guaranteed the supply of guns and munitions. Mutual recognition of the titles of the Iroquois patroonships and Dutch purchases in Iroquois lands. both parties could buy and sell land in their territories. Finally each year at the same date the envoys would meet to exchange gifts, complains and suggestions. Legal issues would also be addressed in these meetings.
   
 
==The Treaty Teantontalago / Mabee Fort of 1708==
 
==The Treaty Teantontalago / Mabee Fort of 1708==
Line 98: Line 100:
   
 
==Government==
 
==Government==
The Director General (Directeur-Generaal) is in charge of the colony. The Director General was named by the Dutch West India Company from 1624 to 1682. After 1682 the office is named and responsible to the Stadtholder. The State Directory formed in 1685 to assist in its executive function the Director General, with part of its membership named by the Council of New Netherland.
+
The Director General (Directeur-Generaal) was in charge of the colony. The Director General was named by the Dutch West India Company from 1624 to 1682. After 1682 the office was named and responsible to the Stadtholder. The State Directory was formed in 1685 to assist in its executive functions the Director General, with part of its membership named by the Council of New Netherland.
  +
 
Until 1652 the Council of Nine Men, an elected citizens board in 1647, 1649, 1650 and 1652, advised the Director General. It became the basis for the municipal government when the city of New Amsterdam received its municipal charter in 1653. Beverwyck received its city rights in 1652. Nieuw Haarlem was formally recognized in 1658.
  +
 
The Second Remonstrance of New Netherland is delivered to the Dutch States-General in 1673 demanding end of company rule and establishment the territory as a colony. Under pressure from the Dutch and English residents that demanded representation Beekman installed in 1675 the Council of New Netherland (Raad van Nieuw-Nederland), after consultation with the Heeren XIX who granted its permission. The Council would advice the Director General and approve in some cases matters or regulations brought to its consultation or by its own initiative. Its members would be elected from the cities and villages of New Amsterdam, Beverwyck, Nieuw-Amstel, Nieuw Haarlem and other important settlements. The Council of New Netherland gained limited local legislative powers in 1682 and the right to name part of the State Directory.
  +
 
[[File:Washington in Albany.jpg|thumb|Statue of Pieter Van Alst facing the States General of New Netherland.]]
 
With the change of its status to generality land in 1682 not only New Netherlands gains complete autonomy but also has jurisdiction of all India affairs (i.e. relations with [[Iroquois (Cromwell the Great)|Iroquois Confederacy]]). With the Iroquois it signed the Treaty Teantontalago (or Mabee Fort) in 1708 taking them under protection of New Netherlands and the Dutch Republic.
  +
 
The States General, the devolved legislature of New Netherland was established by the Constitution of 1796, replacing the Council of New Netherland. The representatives of the States General are elected by the City of New Amsterdam, the townships and the patroonships circles<ref>Electoral districts of the patroonships.</ref> for a five year term in staged elections and their number of representatives is determined according to the electoral census.
  +
 
Delegates from Iroquia have the right to address and petition the States General.
  +
 
A parliamentary system, based on the one of the Homeland, was established. The Minister-President and the State Directory are named by the States General.
 
----
 
----
 
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
 
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
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*Jacobus Van Cortlandt (1700-1722)
 
*Jacobus Van Cortlandt (1700-1722)
 
*Koenradd Van Rensselaer (1722-1730)
 
*Koenradd Van Rensselaer (1722-1730)
  +
*Pieter Van Brugh (1730-1738)
  +
* Marcellus Hattaway (1738-1742) <small>first non Dutch Director General</small>
  +
*Gerolt Van Dijk (1742-1749)
  +
*
 
*...
 
*...
*Pieter Van Alst
+
*Pieter Van Alst (-1796)
 
;Minister-President
 
;Minister-President
*Pieter Van Alst
+
*Pieter Van Alst (1796-1812)
 
*...
 
*...
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
==Administrative Division==
----
 
 
New Netherland is administratively divided in provinces under the administration of commissioners, named by the Director General. The Iroquois Confederacy (Iroquia), a protectorate under the Treaty of Treaty Teantontalago/Mabee Fort of 1708, is administered by a Resident-Commissioner named by the Director General.
Until 1652 the Council of Nine Men, an elected citizens board in 1647, 1649, 1650 and 1652, advised the Director General. It became the basis for the municipal government when the city of New Amsterdam received its municipal charter in 1653. Beverwyck received its city rights in 1652. Nieuw Haarlem was formally recognized in 1658.
 
   
  +
==Society==
The Second Remonstrance of New Netherland is delivered to the Dutch States-General in 1673 demanding end of company rule and establishment the territory as a colony. Under pressure from the Dutch and English residents that demanded representation Beekman installed in 1675 the Council of New Netherland (Raad van Nieuw-Nederland), after consultation with the Heeren XIX who granted its permission. The Council would advice the Director General and approve in some cases matters or regulations brought to its consultation or by its own initiative. Its members would be elected from the cities and villages of New Amsterdam, Beverwyck, Nieuw-Amstel, Nieuw Haarlem and other important settlements. The Council of New Netherland gained limited local legislative powers in 1682 and the right to name part of the State Directory.
 
  +
New Netherland as never been a homogeneous society. Thought, a Dutch colony most of its inhabitants are of other European origin. For example a large majority is English, followed by Dutch, German, Finnish, Swedish and French. The main reasons to settle in New Netherland are commercial activity and farming lands and the arrival of refugees from America and Europe.
   
  +
The other important inhabitants are Native American with the Iroquois being the largest group followed by the Algonquians.
[[File:Washington in Albany.jpg|thumb|Statue of Pieter Van Alst facing the States General of New Netherland.]]
 
With the change of its status to generality land in 1682 not only New Netherlands gains complete autonomy but also has jurisdiction of all India affairs (i.e. relations with [[Iroquois (Cromwell the Great)|Iroquois Confederacy]]). With the Iroquois it signed the Treaty Teantontalago (or Mabee Fort) in 1708 taking them under protection of New Netherlands and the Dutch Republic.
 
   
  +
The WIC introduced slavery with the importation of black slaves who worked as farmers, fur traders, and builders. They had a few basic rights and families were usually kept intact. They were admitted to the Dutch Reformed Church and married by its ministers, and their children could be baptized. Slaves enjoyed several legal rightt. Some were permitted to work after hours earning wages equal to those paid to white workers. After given up the administration of the colony in 1680, slaves were freed becoming citizens of New Netherlands.
The devolved legislature of New Netherland was established in the States General, that replaced the Council of New Netherland. The representatives of the States General are elected by the City of New Amsterdam, the townships and the patroonships circles<ref>Electoral districts of the patroonships.</ref> for a five year term in staged elections and their number of representatives is determined according to the electoral census.
 
   
  +
This mix of peoples is expressed in speech. Several Dutch based pidgins and creole are spoken thru out New Netherland. For example Jersey Dutch and Pidgin Delaware and Mohawk Dutch and Negerhollands. However, the establishment of a national primary school system that used the New Netherlands Dutch as its medium of instruction as lowered the varieties of creole and pidgins. English, French, Swedish, Finnish and German dialects are still spoken but restricted to local farming communities.
Delegates from Iroquia have the right to address and petition the States General.
 
   
  +
Socially the patroons, landholders with manorial rights, are at the top of the society followed by merchants, public administrators, artisans and craftsmen, farmers, land and city workers and servants. The patroons are the local aristocracy, having an equal status as their counterparts in the Netherlands. Patroons are not distinguishable by ethnic group, being of equally of Dutch and Iroquois origin.
A parliamentary system, based on the one of the Homeland, was established. The Minister-President and the State Directory are named by the States General.
 
   
==Administrative Division==
 
New Netherland is administratively divided in provinces under the administration of commissioners, named by the Director General. The Iroquois Confederacy (Iroquia), a protectorate under the Treaty of Treaty Teantontalago/Mabee Fort of 1708, is administered by a Resident-Commissioner named by the Director General.
 
 
----
 
----
 
{{CromwellTheGreat}}
 
{{CromwellTheGreat}}

Revision as of 22:47, 10 February 2020

New Netherland
Nieuw-Nederland

Uudet-Alankomaat (Finnish)
Nouvelle-Néerlande (French)
Timeline: Cromwell the Great

OTL equivalent: New Netherland (1614–1667)

Generality Land of the Dutch Republic
Flag Coat of Arms
Location
New Netherland (in yellow). Includes Iroquois Confederacy.
Capital
(and largest city)
New Amsterdam
Other Cities New Amstel, Fort Cassimir, Fort Altena and Fort Orange-Beverwijck
Language
  Official
 
Dutch and Dutch Low Saxon
  Others French, English, German dialects, Swedish, Finnish, Northern Iroquoian languages, Algonquian languages, Dutch based pidgins (Jersey Dutch and Pidgin Delaware), and Dutch based creole (Mohawk Dutch and Negerhollands)
Religion
  Main
 
Netherlands Reformed Church
  Others Other Protestant denominations, Catholicism, Judaism, native animistic beliefs and Longhouse Religion (Gaihwi:io)
Ethnic Groups
  Main
 
European (Dutch, English, German, Finnish, Swedish, French)
  Others Native Americans
Government Colony of the Dutch Republic administered by the Dutch West India Company (1614-1682), Generality Land of the Dutch Republic (1682 to date)
  Legislature States General[1]
Established 1614
Currency Wampum beads, Dutch rijksdaalder and leeuwendaalder
Time Zone GMT-5

Tot handel, en tot scheepvaart,uitgezocht,

met havens, die den aard zelf heeft gewrocht
tot heul, van wie in ’t lijden wordt gebrocht
en raakt verlegen.

(Jacob Steendam, Lof op Nuw-Nederland, 1661)

The New Netherland (Dutch: Nieuw-Nederland, Latin: Nova Hollandica or Novum Hollandium) is colonial province (generality land) of the Dutch Republic located on the East Coast of North America. The claimed territories extended from the Chesapeake Peninsula to extreme southwestern Cape Cod. The principal settlements are on the islands of Manhattan and Long Iceland and along the rivers Hudson, Delaware and Connecticut.

It limits to the Northwest with the lands of Iroquois Confederacy (a Dutch protectorate since 1708), northeast with the New England Confederation and southeast with Maryland.

History

New Netherland (CtG)

Settlements of New Netherland

The colony was conceived as a private business venture of the Dutch West India Company (WIC) to exploit the North American fur trade. During its first decades, New Netherland was settled rather slowly, partially as a result of policy mismanagement by the WIC and partially as a result of conflicts with Native Americans. The settlement of New Sweden, captured in 1655, encroached on its southern flank, while its northern border was redrawn to surly accommodate an expanding New England.

During the 1650s, the colony experienced dramatic growth and became a major port for trade in the North Atlantic and the Commonwealth colonies despite the restrictions of the Navigation Acts.

The Flushing Remonstrance of 1657 brought religious freedom against Stuyvesant and the will of English settlers of New Netherland. The directors of the WIC advised to end all acts of religious persecution and harassment were to be not officially sanctioned. All ordinances against it were repelled. Quakers, Baptists and others dissidents were allowed to preach and meet.

Although New Amsterdam gained full city rights in 1653, it did not stop the complains on the lack of same liberties as in the metropolis for the colony, economic freedom and the removal of the colony from the control of the WIC. Politics in New Netherland had three main factions: Governor's party, Localists party and the English party.

The Second Remonstrance of New Netherland is delivered to the Dutch States-General in 1673 demanding end of company rule and establishment the territory as a colony. This document starts the route to complete autonomy.

The first elections to the Council of New Netherland in 1675 gave a majority of its seats to the Localists, followed by the English party and the Governor's partisans. The Council voted a series of grievances that affected the colony and had not being addressed by the authorities. The chief one was free trade, followed by a more open policy of migration and colonization, lack of freedoms and abuses of the authorities.

Flag of the Dutch West India Company

Former flag of Netherland under WIC rule (1614-1682.

In 1680, Willem III Prince of Orange as Stadtholder moves a motion to establish the colony of New Netherland as separate from the rule of the Dutch West India Company to the States-General. In 1682, under careful lobby of governor-general Anthonie Heinsius, New Netherland becomes a self governing colony with the same status as a Generality Land of the Dutch Republic, but with an elected assembly and director general named by the Stadtholder. The immediate effect is that all restriction for trade, migration and settlement in New Netherland are abrogated. Jews are allowed to settle permanently in New Amsterdam (with or without passports) along complete freedom of religion.

In 1724 Stadtholder Johan Willem Friso issued a New Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions based on a proposition of the Council of New Netherland. This charter takes most of its provisions from the British Claim of Rights Act of 1702.

The European Revolutionary Wars (1790-1810) and the French invasion of the Netherlands cut the immediate communications and political ties that New Netherland had with the Metropolis. The political and social crisis that followed led to drastic measures and decisions. Director-General Pieter Van Alst, assumed full control and aligned a wide political compact breaking with the previous sectarian politics that characterized New Netherland. Important measures were to establish a permanent army and navy and an alliance with the British colonies. Having de facto full home rule Van Alst called for a constitutional convention to draft and approve a constitution. The Constitution of 1796 established a new state administration

Colonization

Img p4 ship

Ship arriving to New Amsterdam

The Patroonship plan of 1628 granted large tracts of land and gave the rights to the land as well as legal rights to settle all non-capital cases, quite similar to a manorial lord. In return the Patroon would agree to bring over settlers and colonize the land at his own expense. Additionally Patroons were allowed to trade with New England and Maryland and to engage in both the fur trade, subject to a company tax and could participate in the fish trade.

Under the Patroonship plan, New Netherland expand with more colonists and settlements taking hold. The nerve center of New Netherland was along the Hudson River from New Amsterdam north-west to Fort Orange.

The North River Treaty

In March 1663 the Iroquois and Dutch West India Company (WIC) envoys meet at Fort Orange to sign the North River Treaty. This was the result of proposal by the WIC. After several month of negotiations both delegations meet to sign the Treaty and exchange gifts. The Treaty defined the relationship between both parties. The Dutch were giving open access to Iroquois and establish factorijs (trade posts), forts and schools, and the Iroquois given freedom of movement and commerce in New Netherlands and New Amsterdam. Exchange of food in case of scarcity and free trade between the two parties. The WIC guaranteed the supply of guns and munitions. Mutual recognition of the titles of the Iroquois patroonships and Dutch purchases in Iroquois lands. both parties could buy and sell land in their territories. Finally each year at the same date the envoys would meet to exchange gifts, complains and suggestions. Legal issues would also be addressed in these meetings.

The Treaty Teantontalago / Mabee Fort of 1708

After the The Beaver Wars the Iroquois were in a dire situation due to diseases and reduction of population along the rearmament by the French of rival Iroquois tribes, This pushed the Haudenosaunee to establish alliances with the Dutch and English colonies. With the Dutch a closer alliance was signed by Treaty Teantontalago/Mabee Fort of 1708, becoming the Haudenosaunee a Dutch protectorate with a large degree of autonomy (New Netherland-Iroquois Condominium).

Government

The Director General (Directeur-Generaal) was in charge of the colony. The Director General was named by the Dutch West India Company from 1624 to 1682. After 1682 the office was named and responsible to the Stadtholder. The State Directory was formed in 1685 to assist in its executive functions the Director General, with part of its membership named by the Council of New Netherland.

Until 1652 the Council of Nine Men, an elected citizens board in 1647, 1649, 1650 and 1652, advised the Director General. It became the basis for the municipal government when the city of New Amsterdam received its municipal charter in 1653. Beverwyck received its city rights in 1652. Nieuw Haarlem was formally recognized in 1658.

The Second Remonstrance of New Netherland is delivered to the Dutch States-General in 1673 demanding end of company rule and establishment the territory as a colony. Under pressure from the Dutch and English residents that demanded representation Beekman installed in 1675 the Council of New Netherland (Raad van Nieuw-Nederland), after consultation with the Heeren XIX who granted its permission. The Council would advice the Director General and approve in some cases matters or regulations brought to its consultation or by its own initiative. Its members would be elected from the cities and villages of New Amsterdam, Beverwyck, Nieuw-Amstel, Nieuw Haarlem and other important settlements. The Council of New Netherland gained limited local legislative powers in 1682 and the right to name part of the State Directory.

Washington in Albany

Statue of Pieter Van Alst facing the States General of New Netherland.

With the change of its status to generality land in 1682 not only New Netherlands gains complete autonomy but also has jurisdiction of all India affairs (i.e. relations with Iroquois Confederacy). With the Iroquois it signed the Treaty Teantontalago (or Mabee Fort) in 1708 taking them under protection of New Netherlands and the Dutch Republic.

The States General, the devolved legislature of New Netherland was established by the Constitution of 1796, replacing the Council of New Netherland. The representatives of the States General are elected by the City of New Amsterdam, the townships and the patroonships circles[2] for a five year term in staged elections and their number of representatives is determined according to the electoral census.

Delegates from Iroquia have the right to address and petition the States General.

A parliamentary system, based on the one of the Homeland, was established. The Minister-President and the State Directory are named by the States General.


Director Generals
  • ...
  • Peter Stuyvesant (1647-1672, died in office)
  • Wilhelmus Beekman (interim 1672-1673, 1673-1681)
    • Military Commanders Admiral Jacob Binckes (1672-1674), General Anthonij Colve (1672-1678)
  • Cornelius Van Steenwyk (1681-1687)
  • Wilhelmus Beekman (1687-1700)
  • Jacobus Van Cortlandt (1700-1722)
  • Koenradd Van Rensselaer (1722-1730)
  • Pieter Van Brugh (1730-1738)
  • Marcellus Hattaway (1738-1742) first non Dutch Director General
  • Gerolt Van Dijk (1742-1749)
  • ...
  • Pieter Van Alst (-1796)
Minister-President
  • Pieter Van Alst (1796-1812)
  • ...

Administrative Division

New Netherland is administratively divided in provinces under the administration of commissioners, named by the Director General. The Iroquois Confederacy (Iroquia), a protectorate under the Treaty of Treaty Teantontalago/Mabee Fort of 1708, is administered by a Resident-Commissioner named by the Director General.

Society

New Netherland as never been a homogeneous society. Thought, a Dutch colony most of its inhabitants are of other European origin. For example a large majority is English, followed by Dutch, German, Finnish, Swedish and French. The main reasons to settle in New Netherland are commercial activity and farming lands and the arrival of refugees from America and Europe.

The other important inhabitants are Native American with the Iroquois being the largest group followed by the Algonquians.

The WIC introduced slavery with the importation of black slaves who worked as farmers, fur traders, and builders. They had a few basic rights and families were usually kept intact. They were admitted to the Dutch Reformed Church and married by its ministers, and their children could be baptized. Slaves enjoyed several legal rightt. Some were permitted to work after hours earning wages equal to those paid to white workers. After given up the administration of the colony in 1680, slaves were freed becoming citizens of New Netherlands.

This mix of peoples is expressed in speech. Several Dutch based pidgins and creole are spoken thru out New Netherland. For example Jersey Dutch and Pidgin Delaware and Mohawk Dutch and Negerhollands. However, the establishment of a national primary school system that used the New Netherlands Dutch as its medium of instruction as lowered the varieties of creole and pidgins. English, French, Swedish, Finnish and German dialects are still spoken but restricted to local farming communities.

Socially the patroons, landholders with manorial rights, are at the top of the society followed by merchants, public administrators, artisans and craftsmen, farmers, land and city workers and servants. The patroons are the local aristocracy, having an equal status as their counterparts in the Netherlands. Patroons are not distinguishable by ethnic group, being of equally of Dutch and Iroquois origin.


  1. Replacing the Council of New Netherland (Raad van Nieuw-Nederland, 1675-1796)
  2. Electoral districts of the patroonships.