After Henry Hudson’s 1609-voyage along the river that now bears his name, Dutch traders began to visit and trade at the area they called New Netherland. In 1614, the Dutch established a trading post near present-day Albany, New York. In 1624, the Dutch West India Company built the settlement of New Amsterdam.
How did the colony of New Netherland take shape? In what ways did the Dutch West India Company and private individuals use enslaved labor to develop the colony?
Andrea Mosterman, an Associate Professor of History at the University of New Orleans and author of Spaces of Enslavement: A History of Slavery and Resistance in Dutch New York, joins us to explore what life was like in New Netherland and early New York, especially for the enslaved people who did much of the work to build this Dutch, and later English, colony.
This episode is supported by an American Rescue Plan grant to the Omohundro Institute from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
About the Show
Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.
It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.
Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.
Episode Summary
Andrea Mosterman, an Associate Professor of History at the University of New Orleans and author of Spaces of Enslavement: A History of Slavery and Resistance in Dutch New York, joins us to explore what life was like in New Netherland and early New York, especially for the enslaved people who did much of the work to build this Dutch, and later English, colony.
During our exploration, Andrea reveals information about the establishment of New Netherland, its geographic scope, and its place within the larger Dutch Atlantic World; Dutch involvement in the African slave trade and the origins of slavery in colonial New Netherland and New York; And, myth versus reality when it comes to the history and lived experiences of enslaved New Yorkers during the Dutch and English colonial periods.
What You’ll Discover
- Establishment of New Netherland
- New Netherland as a trade colony
- Geography of New Netherland
- Dutch West India Company & New Netherland
- The Dutch Revolt, 1566-1648
- Dutch involvement in the Atlantic slave trade
- Origins of slavery in early New York
- Life and work experiences of enslaved New Netherlanders
- Half-freedom status supplied by the Dutch West India Company
- English Conquest of 1664
- Changes to colonial New York’s system of slavery
- New York’s benevolent slavery myth
- New England threats to sell enslaved people to colonial New York
- The myth that enslaved New Yorkers were members of white New York families
- Slavery at Schuyler Mansion
- Realities of enslaved people living with white New York families
- Ways enslaved New Yorkers resisted & challenged their enslavement
- New York’s long history with slavery
Links to People, Places, and Publications
- Andrea at University of New Orleans
- Andrea’s Website
- Mosterman, Spaces of Enslavement
- Slavery in New Netherland Online Exhibit
- The Black Experience in Dutch New York
- New Netherland Institute
- Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Sponsor Links
- Omohundro Institute
- Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
- Seizing Freedom: A podcast on Black liberation, progress & joy
- Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water Notification Database
Support Ben Franklin's World
Complementary Episodes
- Episode 121: Wim Klooster, The Dutch Moment in the 17th-Century Atlantic World
- Episode 159: The Revolutionary Economy
- Episode 161: Smuggling and the American Revolution
- Episode 170: Wendy Warren, Slavery in Early New England
- Episode 185: Joyce Goodfriend, Early New York City and its Culture
- Episode 226: Ryan Quintana, Making the State of South Carolina
- Episode 242: David Young, A History of Early Delaware
- Episode 256: Christian Koot, Mapping Empire in the Chesapeake
Time Warp Question
In your opinion, what might have happened if early New Yorkers had built separate quarters for their enslaved people? How might the experience of slavery in early New York have been different if enslaved people really did have their own homes and dedicated spaces?
Questions, Comments, Suggestions
Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion?
Get in Touch! Send me an e-mail, tweet, or leave a comment.
Listen!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Why Not Listen regularly through one of these apps?
Ratings & Reviews
If you enjoy this podcast, please give it a rating and review.
Positive ratings and reviews help bring Ben Franklin's World to the attention of other history lovers who may not be aware of our show
Click here to rate & review on iTunes | Click here to rate & review on Stitcher