This episode covers the important, though overlooked, Dutch colony in the New World: New Amsterdam. This colony was squished between Massachusetts and Virginia and was instrumental in forwarding many of the ideals that would be used to justify the American Revolution.
The initial ragtag group of settlers would slowly expand gaining more recognition from the Dutch government and the rest of the colonial powers, despite its small size. This led to a power vacuum which led to many an authoritarian trying to control the colony. This led to a growing need for representative government and liberty in religion and person. This debate was held for over a decade before the English colonies cut the process short.
There are many missing pages that help flesh out this unique colony. Let’s fill those in…
Music
Intro: Fractured Timeline - Sémø
Outro: The Beach House - Space Doves
Sources
The Island at the Center of the World - Russell Shorto
American Jezebel - Eve LaPlante
American Colonies: The Settling of North America - Alan Taylor
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