The Dutch colonies were territories under the control of the Netherlands from the 16th to 20th centuries. They included areas in North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Think of the Dutch colonies like a chain of grocery stores. Just as a grocery store chain has different branches in various locations but is managed by one central company, the Dutch colonies were spread out across different continents but were all governed by the Netherlands.
New Netherland: This was a 17th-century colony established by the Dutch along the East Coast of North America. Its capital was New Amsterdam, which later became New York City after English conquest.
Dutch East India Company: A powerful company that had quasi-governmental powers including ability to wage war. It played a significant role in establishing and managing Dutch colonies especially in Asia.
Dutch West India Company: Similar to its eastern counterpart, this company was responsible for colonizing parts of Brazil and regions in the Caribbean.
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