Special Subject: The Dutch in the World, 1600-1950: From Small Republic to Empire (and Back!)

Delves into the social and economic history of the Dutch Republic and its overseas empire in the Americas, Asia, and Africa from the early modern period through 20th-century decolonization. Topics will include commerce and trading networks, urbanization, material culture, labor systems including slavery, indigenous-Dutch relations, and resistance. Our goal will be to critically examine the relationship between colonial histories and the history of The Netherlands itself.