The Dutch controlled the island of Curacao in the Caribbean and the North American colony of New Netherland in the mid-17th century. Both colonies were run by directors appointed by the Dutch West India Company. Ship owners would transport goods across the Atlantic Ocean in exchange for payment from the Company. Surviving Dutch records like the Curacao Papers provide a first-hand account of the inner workings of the economic system known as transatlantic trade.
Compelling Question: How did the system of transatlantic trade meet the basic needs of different Dutch colonial regions?
Directions: Students complete the graphic organizer using the documents below. After completing the graphic organizer, students map the flow of goods on the blank map of the world. With these two items completed, students should be able to answer the compelling question. The graphic organizer, blank map, and document translations can be found under Additional Resources at the bottom of this page.
Document 1: Manifest of Goods Aboard the Nieuw Amstel, May 16, 1659
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 5: Manifest of Animals and Provisions Shipped from Curaçao to New Netherland, May 8, 1660
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 9: Bill of Lading for Five Slaves Loaded at Curaçao for New Netherland, August 24, 1659
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 2: Memorandum of Necessities and Essentials for the Island of Curaçao and the Company, August 23, 1659
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 6: Receipt for Lumber and Provisions Shipped on the Galiot New Amstel, New Netherland to Curaçao, May 8, 1660
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 10: Manifest of the Goods Aboard the Galiot Nieuwer Amstel, June 16, 1659
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 3: Debit and Credit Account with Captain John Allen of New England. February 21, 1661
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 7: Manifest of Cloth Loaded at Curaçao for New Netherland, July 20, 1661
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 4: Daily Register of Provisions from the Ship Den Bloesemcoming Out of New England, March 4, 1660
Courtesy: New York State Archives
Document 8: Bill of Lading for 20 Slaves Shipped from Curaçao to New Netherland on the Eyckenboom, May 8, 1660
Courtesy: New York State Archives
About the New Netherland Institute
For over three decades, NNI has helped cast light on America's Dutch roots. In 2010, it partnered with the New York State Office of Cultural Education to establish the New Netherland Research Center, with matching funds from the State of the Netherlands. NNI is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. More
The New Netherland Research Center
Housed in the New York State Library, the NNRC offers students, educators, scholars and researchers a vast collection of early documents and reference works on America's Dutch era. More
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