TV2D Start of the Colonial era

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Start of the Colonial era

Topic of today

How did European countries start building colonial empires?

Keywords: trade posts, fortresses/factories, colonies, trading companies, The Indies

The North-American colonies

The players:

- England

- France

- Spain

- Native tribal confederacies

- Other European countries (the Dutch, Swedish etc.)

Trade

Different trading companies competed for trading goods

Some were granted major privileges by national rulers

English East India Company

Dutch VOC

Had the right to form armies and wage war, occupy land etc.

Conflict

European wars are being fought globally
Privateers (kapers) like Piet Heyn plunder Spanish ships

The Dutch even briefly conquer Brazil (1630-1654)

The Dutch-English wars 

New Netherland 1613-1667

New Amsterdam on the island of Manhattan

Conquered by the English in 1664

Traded for Suriname in 1667

Colonies

- Provided trade goods and wealth for the home country

- Provided a place to send 'undesirables' like criminals, but also prostitutes and single mothers

- Provided the rulers with power and prestige

- Provided military presence along the trade routes

Next week:

The Reformation!

Chapter 2.2 (p.38 -41)