Dutch+Immigration+in+the+1600s

Dutch Immigration to America in the 1600's
Henry Hudson primarily started the Dutch connection to North America. He began a journey in September 1609 on a ship called "De Halve Maene." His goal was to find a passage to Asia going Northwest. After he returned, other Dutch merchants left Holland to trade furs with Indians. The very first Dutch settlement in America was on Castle Island in 1614. One of the first major Dutch settlements in America was New Netherland. New Netherland later became New York; it attracted fur traders, religious refugees, and poverty-stricken peoples. By 1664, about 7,000 Dutch had come over to New Netherland. Other settlements were in Fort Orange, and many were scattered across Long Island. The Dutch were overall pretty happy in Holland, this is why not many came over. However, most of the few Dutch people that came over were coming for even more religious freedom for them and their children.