William V sends the Kew Letters to colonial governors

The preliminary Anglo-Dutch articles ended the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War. Dutch colonies and trading stations had been occupied during the conflict, and imperial powers negotiated their return and...

The treaty ended the American War of Independence and accompanied parallel settlements among European powers, including the Dutch Republic. Captured Dutch possessions in Asia and the Guianas were...

A Society of Suriname record reports Boni’s death. Boni had led a prolonged war against plantation slavery and colonial military power. His death did not erase Aluku resistance or political life;...

As French forces entered the Dutch Republic, William V left for Britain. His exile set in motion instructions that Dutch colonial governors should accept British occupation to keep colonies from...

The proclamation followed the collapse of the old Dutch Republic under French military pressure. Colonial administration and company privileges would soon be reorganized, but the new regime...

Tula and fellow enslaved people at Knip refused to work and demanded freedom. The movement spread across Curaçao and became the largest uprising against slavery in the Dutch Atlantic. Tula’s political...

British forces occupied Malacca after receiving the Kew instructions and negotiated its transfer with Dutch officials. The occupation was presented as protection from France, but it shifted control...

British forces took Cape Town and the Cape government capitulated, beginning the first British occupation. This changed the colonial administrator but not settler claims over Khoikhoi and San land...

After a British campaign and negotiations, Colombo capitulated. The surrender ended VOC rule in coastal Sri Lanka. The British takeover was another European transfer of colonial power; it did not...

The VOC ceased to exist when its charter expired. The Dutch state took over its debts, possessions, and administrative responsibilities. Company rule ended, but colonial extraction and coercive...