3.6: Curacao: A former Dutch colony in the Caribbean

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3.6: Curaçao: A former Dutch colony

Source: NOS.nl

Apologies for slavery

There is a debate going on. The Dutch government should formally (officieel) apologise for their role in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

55% of Dutch people think the Netherlands had a key role in the brutal slave trade. Yet only 31% of Dutch people agree with the apology.

What do you know the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?

Do you think the Dutch government should formally apologise?

1. Yes
2. No

What is your opinion? Why should or shouldn't the Dutch government formally apologise?

Objectives

• You will expand your knowledge on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the Dutch role in it.
• You will learn about the everyday life of a slave on Curaçao. 

What do you remember from the last lesson? What happened with Curaçao in the seventeenth century?

Curaçao: 

• Was not conquered by the Spanish. However, the Spanish did deport the arawak.
• Was conquered by the Dutch in 1634. They needed a strategic base for the privateering of Spanish ships.
• Contained salt plains. Which the Dutch needed...

The increase of the slave trade

In 1662, the Spanish government granted asiento to two Spanish bankers.

The bankers made a deal with the WIC. This gave the WIC a monopoly on the slave trade with Spanish colonies.

The WIC and slave trade

Curaçao was perfect for the slave trade. The WIC was able to keep its monopoly until 1730.

After 1730, other Dutch traders were competing with the WIC.

In total the Dutch shipped around 600.000 African men, women and children to South America. 

Everyday life for a slave on Curaçao.

Curaçao was a big slave market in the South American colonies. 

However, some slaves stayed in Curaçao to work on the WIC's corn plantations.

Everyday life for a slave on Curaçao

The master of the slaves lived in a plantation house.

The slaves themselves lived in small houses. The work that they had to do was excruciating.

Brutal punishments were common too.

Time to put your knowledge to the test...

What is the capital of Curaçao?

1. Curaçao-city
2. Curaçao-stad
3. Bonaire
4. Willemstad

Who granted the asiento to the WIC?

1. The Spanish government
2. Two Spanish bankers
3. The Dutch government
4. Dutch traders

What was the asiento?

1. An agreement to sell African slaves to Spanish colonies
2. An agreement to sell African slaves to Dutch colonies
3. An agreement to colonise South America
4. A disagreement about slaves

How many slaves did the Dutch ship to South America?

1. Around 1 million
2. Around 300.000
3. Around 600.000
4. Around 2 million

Why didn't many slaves stay in Curaçao permanently?

1. Not a lot of slaves came to this island
2. Not a lot of slaves wanted to stay there
3. Curaçao was a slave market, many of them were sold
4. Because the Spanish wouldn't allow it

Please write down two things you have learnt today.

Your homework for Friday is...

Read all the texts of 3.6 and take notes on them in your notebook.