Process

Learners,

You will be navigating the web to gather more information about life during Colonial Times.  As you know many different groups began to inhabit North America and each group had a different experience due to their culture and the rights they were allowed.  You will learn about the different experiences of the Dutch colonists and African-Americans in Colonial New York.  As you go through the quest, keep in mind (or jot down) interesting things that you may want to include in the diary that you will be writing after the quest. 

Welcome people of the New Netherlands Colony!

You may be wondering why in the world did people come here in the first place?  Well, of course people were already living here by the time the colonists got here, but click the links below to find out what happened once the colonists arrived. 

(Pay close attention to the webpages to find Historical Documents and Video Clips to view by clicking on the icons.) 

Henry Hudson's Journey to the "New World"

Trade in the "New World"

More People Arrive in New Netherlands

Okay, so now that you know how and why people came here, you are probably wondering about life now that people are settled here.  People experience life in the colonies very differently, depending on who they are.  Life is, obviously, very different for slaves than it is for the free colonists.  But everybody has it tough because moving to a new land is hard no matter who you are. 

Imagine yourself as a young Dutch boy or girl in New Amsterdam.  Get some questions ready in your mind about home life, work, school and play.  Now you are ready to journey back in time and learn about what it was like to be a young colonist in Colonial New Amsterdam. 

Scroll down to "Colonial Schools" and "Recreational Activities" to learn about how children spent their time.

The Lives of Children in New Amsterdam

Children's lives were very different from your own lives, but believe it or not, they also had many things in common, such as work, school and play.  They brought one hobby a lot of you play all the time.

 Recess Would Be Very Different If the Dutch Never Settled New Amsterdam!

The Dutch people brought many good ideas, customs and things from the Netherlands.  The Dutch also brought slavery to New Amsterdam. To learn more about the institution of slavery in New Amsterdam, click on the link below.   

Life as a Slave

Now that you know about lives for Dutch children and about slavery, see how laws affect African-Americans in New York, during and after Dutch Colonial times:

Laws Affecting African Americans

 

 

So now you have experienced life in New Amsterdam, both as a Dutch and an African- American.  You should have enough information to compose your diary.  Still have questions?  The link below is very comprehensive and should answer any questions you may have.  Want to include a diary entry about last night's dinner?  Find "Food & Recipes" on this website.  Want to know where slaves slept?  Go to "Slave Quarters" by scrolling down.  Anything you want to know about Colonial New York can be found here.  This website is for exploring.  Feel free to just poke around. Click.  Scroll.  Read. 

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Colonial New York But Were Afraid to Ask