Remember that Old New York Was Once New Amsterdam: The Dutch Roots of American Pluralism

"Remember that Old New York Was Once New Amsterdam: The Dutch Roots of American Pluralism" by David Dzurec, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, The University of Scranton.
It has been argued that contemporary American culture was built on a British foundation and over time that initial culture grew-with waves of immigration, principally from Europe--creating a multicultural society that became a model for progressive societies all over the world. This talk “complicates” the British foundations model arguing that it was the 17th Century Dutch colony of New Netherland rather than Puritan Massachusetts or Anglican Virginia that offered the pluralistic model for what the United States was to become.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I find it very striking that the American declaration of independence is very much inspired on the Dutch declaration of independence 200 years before that. Some sentences are almost identical, even.

[@timpyrules]

The Dutch showing how to build a peaceful settlement without massacring locals

[@robvoncken2565]

nice lectureThough let me just correct you that indeed the English took new Amsterdam but as we won the second Anglo-Dutch war we actually traded it for Surinam in the peace of Breda. In the third war we again defeated the English and we retookNY. We sold it to them for some spice islands. So basicly we got paid twice. The loss of New Amsterdam was not a real blow for the economy as the West India Company was already failing. The taking of New Amsterdam did not even trigger the second Anglo Dutch only when the English started attacking our East India convoys did the government take notice and declared war. Now it seems very unlikely but back then New York simply was not that important.

[@knutdewit6286]

Jefferson's inspiration for the American declaration of independence was the Dutch document declaring independence from Spain and it's very catholic king Phillips II insisting on fighting Dutch protestantism with his inquisition. The document issued in 1581 was to justify the Netherlands’ revolt against Spanish rule. His father Charles V, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire was born and raised in The Southern Netherlands, in the city of Gent, now Belgium, spoke Dutch. Phillips II was raised in Spain and very catholic. The Netherlands had little to do with Spain or the Spanish nor the catholic church by then. This started a 80 years war between The Dutch Republic of the Seven United Provinces and Spain and later Portugal when that was governed by the Spanish crown for a while. For this reason goods the Portuguese had brought to Holland could not be bought here, and the Dutch had to get the spices and so on themselves. In the meantime taking over Portuguese colonies all over the world, stealing cargo and ships filled with gold and silver from the Spanish, and getting stronger then all of the surrounding countries together. After that 80 years war we had 3 Anglo-Dutch wars, in 1672 we fought a war against England, France and Germany at the same time, and came out victorious (I think). Amsterdam became so big within a few decades because of the rich immigrants from Spanish occupied Southern Netherlands, because of suppression and because the harbour of the till then mightiest city Antwerps was blockaded by the Dutch, and immigrants from all over Europe, jews, French huguenots, even the pilgrim fathers stayed here before moving to America, and that was because Holland was to tolerant for them! Dutch people had no reason to move to New Netherlands because even a butcher or shoemaker had a few paintings on their walls for decoration, maybe a Ruysdael, Frans Hals, or less known master, but hey... The Dutch had colonies in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil, New Netherlands, Guyana, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, we were the only country to trade with Japan for 200 years, from a man made island in the harbour of Nagasaki, so not to be on Japanese soil. Then there are 2 more, earlier, things the Dutch added to make the American roots of pluralism, free trade spirit, immigration and liberty possible: The 1st: The paper the Dutch and English agreed on in 1664, when turning over New Amsterdam to the English, that things should stay the same as they were, including religious freedom, tolerance, immigration, property rights and free trade. This situation continued because the Dutch reconquered New York in the next Anglo-Dutch war. In the peace negotiations, reconquered New York being less profitable than parts of Guyana, and a very small island of 6 km2 where all nutmeg grew (seriously!), in the Dutch Indies (Indonesia), New York was now given back to the English again in change for the above mentioned. This situation with a more successful economical development in those formerly Dutch territories and the problems this gave would prove a major contributor to the 18th century longing and then march to get independent from the English and their monarchs/rulers. Especially the Yankees, Jan & Kees being the most common Dutch first names The 2nd: The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England (James VII of Scotland) by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III, Prince of Orange. William's successful invasion of England with a Dutch fleet and army led to his ascension to the throne as William III of England jointly with his wife, Mary II, James's daughter, after the Declaration of Right, leading to the Bill of Rights 1689. The new monarchs could not rule with the same direct power as their predecessors. They accepted Parliament’s ‘Declaration of Rights’, later called ‘Bill of Rights’. This restricted the king’s power and marked an important transition towards the system of parliamentary rule that exists to this day. As part of the deal and probably because William was already used to limited power as Stadholder in the Dutch Republic. (Yeah, that's why it's a Republic after all)

[@blodekont5458]

When the USA became independent, the Dutch where the first to anknowleldge it, and where the first to officially to salute the Stars and Stripes from a Navy vessel entering the Then already New York Harbour

[@Michaelneiss]

40:30 As a researcher from Eurpope I am bewildered to hear that American scholars on Colonial history would not manage simple task of learning some basic Dutch (which is much more close to English than e.g. German).

[@anisuthideyakoindu]

the "French" Huegenots were originally Flemish! The name 'Huegenots' is derived from Flemish 'Huysgenoten', which means: 'those belonging to the House(of the Lord)' - They lived in the oldest part of Flanders, which had been conquered by the French. Now it is called "Nord-Pas-de Calais". Also Picardië(Picardy), Artesië(Artois), Henegouwen(Hainaut) and De Ardennen(Ardennes) made part of that era. Many important libertarian ideas, i.e. religious freedom without the Vatican, had their roots precisely in that part of Flanders. Because of the Spanish and their Vatican lead suppression of this freedom, Flemish were fleeing to the north, which is now called The Netherlands. Dutch cities all of a sudden had up to 80% of Flemish refugees! The whole West and East indian Companies had been moved from Antwerp to Rotterdam. Practically all cartographers, botanists, astronomers and other scientists, you name it, involved in the founding of New Netherland, were of Flemish origin.

[@Kladdkakagaard]

Utterly Fascinating! Absolutely Stellar! This just doubled down my love for the Netherlands and it's history.

[@MrMatti-lx8et]

Great lecture. As a Dutchman I also learned from it and recognize things like pagmatism, trade and republican, independent thinking. Now we are a kingdom but in my opinion it lasts only because the royals don't have anything to say politically and they open doors for trade abroad. Again pragmatism.

[@Yochemm]

In 1620 there was no Belgium (at 11.33), Belgium is from 1830... Little mistake from him ;-) Now I watch further.

[@MMijdus]

This is the best lecture I have heard about New Amsterdam/ New York.

[@maaiker2977]

The weird thing is, this is still the friction in the USA. One side wanting their strict religion and others wanting tolerance and freedom for all (also the freedom from religion). And weirdly the netherlands itself is still pragmatic and tolerant in its culture. Culture is a weird thing.

[@blodekont5458]

: as American as an Applepie.. it was The Dutch who did bring the Applepie to the New Land Amerika. Cookies..koekjes..also is from Dutch speak overtaken by the then more English language.. just like Boss.. Baas.. The Master of ship, compny or whatever.

[@anne29030]

I am a bit astonished to witness that Americans know so little about their Dutch connection. Most links with the Dutch seem to be dismissed or left out in historical teachings. How English. Let's be fair most historical story telling or drama from Hollywood nowerdays are mainly based on English history.... Weird because the majority of Americans don't have English roots, so the red skirts app never have left America. Fact is that the constitution of the seven provinces forming the states of the Netherlands ( 1579 ) is basicly a (maybe the) blue print of the constitution of the American states. Let's be frank there would never have been a golden age (nor industrial) in England if it was not for the golden age before that in the Netherlands leading up to the English one. England and Holland are more intertwined than the English ever are going to admit. But you won't find that in their history drama's. I watched a documentary about the Painter Vermeer on German TV. It was made by a French team who basicly intertwined their own nationalistic historical French view in to Vermeer's life and death. They simply changed Dutch history a bit and called it "the story of Vermeer" and it broadcasted world wide.... as Dutch history. Folks please be aware that largest countries in Europe are still today pretty nationalistic (France, England, Germany) (just like America is today) and all their documentation are not allways based on reality or facts, as not even todays media is. So it is essential that we have historians who read, research and understand documents,... put itthe right context and don't do easily made assumptions or give biased view, as somewhat happens in this reading at the end during the questionaire. South Africa and it's history is portraited in America often only from an Anglo angle. And the English hated the Dutch.... ;) if you want facts look in to the documents of the time. The VOC archives are one of the most documented archives in the world. Often Asian historians study old Dutch to be able to study their own history. Because often these companies were the first in these nations that documented things.

[@ulrichlachman1216]

Many etnic people all over the world on one place is a dutch tradion. Also diffence religion is als good, diversity is good for liberty and no one can be better than an other and all people will get the best for their self and their community, city and country. These you also see in the former colony Suriname that was a part of the Dutch. People in Suriname are divesity, but they can live together and have respect for other culture, relagion. Toleration from the Dutsch is also in Suriname the former colony of the Dutch. The republic Holland was a place where every people who got trouble in their own country in Europe where welcome eg the Heugonots for their religion in France.

[@janvanrenselaar5998]

My family name comes from kyllian van Renselaer,a navigator on discovery ships. It seems that he is burried in a big church in N York. When i have the time in the future i will go look for that church. Think it is nice to see that,and my argentinian wife maybe thinks i am realy from a important family. And it seems that this name is common in the USA among the dutch immigrants. Nice video,good information in history given. Thanks for that

[@Hooibeest2D]

The consequences of the loss of new amsterdam didn't effect trade or commerce that much for the Dutch. Just look at the list of mayors of new York and Albany or the gouvenors of the state even a few presidents with Dutch colonial roots. The politic family's of the colony new Amsterdam kept in controle one some level for well over 100 years after losing their colony. I home town raised money to get a commerce going in new York in the 18th century, some family's kept in touch with their Dutch roots. When they started to build the Panama canal a few investors where Dutch American families like van Arnhem and van Diemen. They had relatives in the netherlands, Australia, Indonesia and the USA all with businesses that traded with each other. As long as it benefits!

[@guzziventure1750]

Many people in The Netherlands are named Jan or Kees. I thought the New Englanders called the people from New Amsterdam YanKees because it sounded to them that those Dutch people as if they all were named Jan or Kees. New Amsterdam was pragmatically sold to the English and exchanged with Suriname (Part of British Guyana, South America) which was very prosperous at that time. So no bad deal.

[@rolandtours8404]

Wonderful lecture. It would be useful to compare New Amsterdam with early Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

[@s.m.assies6448]

Hegemonic vs pragmatic freedom, interesting appraoch.

[@wimschoenmakers5463]

'Devotion to liberty' is still in our DNA today. Nothing changed really in the last 400 years.

[@shinyoneincarnate5565]

Humm. My relatives lived in that Dutch colony when the British men of war sailed into the bay. They owned a peach orchard in what is now called the village. According to family history, they left their land in France to escape non-tolerance of protestants. The English demanded the Dutch colony, & the Dutch debated their plan of action for a week. During that time, my family left, with their Dutch deed to the land. They ended up in Iowa. From Danish explorers, to French tax collectors, to Dutch orchards & stone masons, to Iowa farmers. A great bunch of land leavers were they. P.S. The Dutch deeds are still valid in New York, but you have to go to court, to validate your claim. (In our case) Then you get the land, but nothing on it, nor can you profit from structures on property. It took about 15 years, & New York claimed squatters rights. The land use returns when the buildings come down. This info is available on the internet now.

[@mimimotor]

It would have been worthwhile for him to read Jonathan Israel's "Radical Enlightenment".

[@markspringsvlogs8790]

SO TAKE ME BACK TO CONSTANTINOPLE

[@wiscatbijles]

I thought a Yankee was a Dutch American, see wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee#Dutch_origins

[@anisuthideyakoindu]

indeed: ONE Yankees is derived from a Jan-Kees(two common dutch first names), meaning a dutchman. So Yankees is not plural for Yankee - it was just interpreted that way later on, since the original meaning weakened.

[@frisoh4025]

?? It was. Jan+Kees=Yankees. First a nickname to insult us then flipped around to be a cool nickname.

[@Yochemm]

Yankees is a nickname to the Dutch, because the named all Jan & Kees.

[@zulawoo]

It is. Short from Jan kees

[@Maikeru1964]

I thought a New Yorker of Dutch origin was called a Knickerbocker. Yankee was what they called the English.

[@zulawoo]

Imagine that the US spoke dutch, or a variant of it right now if they stuck around

[@nathanrobinson1099]

Let's not conflate the "diversity" of today, with the diversity the Dutch practice.

[@roodborstkalf9664]

Very good lecture, but amazing ignorance concerning the reason why Capetown in South Africa came into existence

[@atzonaftaniel4798]

New York didn't hold much appeal to the Dutch back then as it was in fact a burden to the Dutch in terms of enforcement. The Dutch empire was vast and expending all over the world back then and they needed their tentacles elsewhere, so they ditched New York.

[@davewarwicker2512]

I am two seconds in. I bet the following will be corwbarred into this lecture in a way the people of the day would find bizarre: 1) Womens rights 2) Class. .....let's wait and see

[@zool201975]

yes and as a dutchman i will apologize for having my nation invent the stock market. a system where the quality of economy is clearly not tied to the populace but to a minority of investors. the economy is fine we still have 10% unemployment but hey at least our stock market has gone up......