To Civilization IV: Colonization
New Netherlands is a playable civ in Civilization IV: Colonization. They begin the game with a Merchantman instead of a Caravel.
Civilopedia[]
Originally several separate territories under the control of the Holy Roman Empire, and then united into one state under Habsburg rule (16th century), the Netherlands did not acquire national independence until the conclusion of the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648 AD) when the Spanish formally renounced all claims to Dutch sovereignty in the Treaty of Münster.
The Eighty Years' War was sparked by Spanish religious oppression and an occupation by Spanish forces led by the Duke of Alba, during which over one thousand people were sentenced to death, including two prominent and popular Dutch nobles; these actions caused dissention among the Dutch people. In 1568 Willem, Prince of Orange, returned from a self-imposed exile (in order to avoid prosecution by the Duke of Alba) and led the uprising against the Spanish occupation.
The Dutch fight for independence can be seen as a war against religious oppression, with the Pacification of Ghent treaty being a written representation of this sentiment. Signed on November 8th, 1576 the document specified an alliance between the Dutch provinces, in which religious differences would be put aside for the purposes of expelling the Spanish and restoring local provincial control to the Netherlands.
During the seventeenth century the Dutch began using their large military and merchant navies to both create their own trading posts along the African coast and rob those of the Portuguese in an effort to reach valuable markets in India and Indonesia. The inrush of treasure, trade and knowledge from these trading and military expeditions was extremely beneficial, and during this first half of the seventeenth century the Dutch experienced a Golden Age of cultural and economic growth. This Golden Age would soon come to a crushing end.
In 1795, France, under Napoleon I, conquered the Dutch mainland. The Netherlands quickly declined in influence and power, locally and internationally, with the British taking most of their colonial possessions. After Napoleon was defeated a few colonial territories were restored to the Dutch and remained under their control until the decolonization of the twentieth century.
Many historians regard the Dutch empire as the first truly capitalist country. In addition to developing the first stock exchange, many modern services such as corporate insurance and retirement funds were attributed to Dutch inventiveness.
The Netherlands is also the birthplace of one of the world's early democratic institutions - the Dutch Water Boards. Due to the unique topography of the Netherlands - about half of the mainland is a foot or more under sea level - the country's waterways must be constantly monitored and controlled in order to prevent flooding that would result in tremendous loss of life and property. Each Water Board is in charge of one of the nation's 27 water districts and all matters pertaining to local water management. The creation of these water boards predates the Netherlands itself.
The modern Netherlands, with a diverse population and liberal laws towards drugs, prostitution, abortion, same-sex marriage, and euthanasia, has been a constant haven for refugees from other countries. Cultural minorities are encouraged to protect their own cultural identity while at the same time integrate into Dutch culture at large, further reinforcing the open-minded ideals for which Dutch ancestors fought and died.
Cities[]
| Founding Order | City Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Amsterdam | Capital of New Netherland. Currently know as New York City, in the USA. |
| 2 | Fort Orange | Settlement in the modern city of Albany, New York |
| 3 | Fort Nassau | Four Dutch forts had this name. They were located in present-day Albany (NY), Gloucester City (NJ), Guyana and Curaçao |
| 4 | New Holland | Dutch colony established in Acadia, in present-day Castine, Maine |
| 5 | Vlissingen | Currently know as Flushing, a neighbourhood of New York City |
| 6 | Curacao | Island territory in the Caribbean still under Dutch control |
| 7 | Recife | City in Pernambuco, Brazil |
| 8 | Bahia | Currently know as Salvador de Bahia, a city in Bahia, Brazil |
| 9 | Paramaribo | Capital of Suriname |
| 10 | St. Martin | Island territory in the Caribbean still under Dutch control |
| 11 | St. Eustatius | Island territory in the Caribbean still under Dutch control |
| 12 | Essequibo | Dutch colony in Guyana, centred around Fort Zeelandia |
| 13 | Berbice | Dutch colony in Guyana, centred around Fort Nassau |
| 14 | Surinam | Colony and later territory of the Netherlands, currently an independent nation |
| 15 | Bonaire | Island territory in the Caribbean still under Dutch control |
| 16 | Willemstad | Capital of Curaçao |
| 17 | Aruba | Island territory in the Caribbean still under Dutch control |
| 18 | Santa Catharina | Perhaps a Brazilian state, though it was never ruled by the Dutch |
| 19 | Saba | Island territory in the Caribbean still under Dutch control |
| 20 | Utrecht | New Utrecht. Former Dutch settlement in Long Island, New York |
| 21 | Haarlem | Currently know as Harlem, a neighbourhood of New York City |
| 22 | Tappans | A Native American Lenape people who lived around New Jersey before the arrival of Dutch colonists |
| 23 | Hoboken | City in New Jersey, USA |
| 24 | Rensselaerswyck | Former Dutch and later English manor on the Hudson River, NY |
| 25 | Nederhorst | Part of the title of Myndert Myndertsen, the person to whom the land were Bergen county is located were granted |
| 26 | Fort Cristina | Swedish fort in present-day Wilmington, Delaware. Later captured by the Dutch |
| 27 | Gottenburgh | Fort Nya Gothenborg. A Swedish settlement in Tinicum, Delaware. Later captured by the Dutch. |
| 28 | Fort Kasimiris | Dutch fort near present-day New Castle, Delaware |
| 29 | Fort Elsenburgh | Swedish fort near present-day Salem, New Jersey. Later captured by the Dutch |
| 30 | Naiack | Currently know as Nyack. A village in New York, USA |
See also[]
- New Netherlands in other games