Intro MC

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

SLAVERY AND ENLIGHTENMENT

Learning goals

• Students have an understanding of the importance of discussing the topic of slavery
• Students have an understandig of the role of the Dutch government in the Slave trade.

Do you think the Dutch government should have apologise for its slavery past?

Yes

No

Working on your own.

• Read the introduction
• Make assignments 1, 2 and 11 of the introduction

Done?

• Read chapter 1
  
• Note down for each sub-paragraph the important sentences

Phase 1: Group Work (3-4 students)

1. Why did many Europeans consider slavery acceptable in the 17th and 18th centuries? What arguments did they use to justify it?
2. What were the main reasons for the Netherlands to participate in the transatlantic slave trade?
3. How did slavery in the Dutch colonies in the West (e.g., Suriname, Curaçao) differ from slavery in the East (e.g., the Dutch East Indies)?
4. What role did the VOC and WIC play in slavery and the slave trade? How did this impact the Dutch economy?
5. How did enslaved people resist their oppression? What were some of the ways they expressed their identity and culture despite harsh conditions?

Phase 2: Pair Work

1. How did the Dutch government and society benefit from slavery?
2. What were the conditions like for enslaved people working on plantations in Suriname or the East Indies?
3. Why was escaping from slavery so difficult? How did enslaved people try to escape, and what were the risks?
4. What was the significance of Tula’s rebellion in Curaçao? What does this event tell us about resistance against slavery?
5. Why did some slave owners free enslaved people before the official abolition of slavery?

Phase 3: Individual Work

1. What is the most important reason why the Netherlands should or should not take responsibility for its role in slavery today? Explain your opinion.
2. How does the history of slavery still affect society today? Give at least one concrete example.
3. Why is it important to learn about slavery in history lessons? What can we learn from it?
4. If you had lived during the time of slavery, what do you think your opinion on it would have been? Explain your reasoning.
5. In 2022, the Dutch government apologized for its role in slavery. In your opinion, was this apology enough, or should further action be taken?