New Sweden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New Sweden Nya Sverige
1638–1655
Flag of Sweden
Map of New Sweden ca. 1650 by Amandus Johnson
Status	Swedish colony
Capital	Fort Christina
Common languages	Swedish, Finnish
King/Queen of Sweden
• 1632–1654	Christina
• 1654–1660	Charles X Gustav
Governor
• 1638	Peter Minuit
• 1638–1640	Måns Nilsson Kling
• 1640–1643	Peter Hollander Ridder
•	Johan Björnsson Printz
• 1653–1654	Johan Papegoja
• 1654–1655	Johan Risingh
Historical era	Colonial period
• Established	1638
• Dutch conquest	1655
• Peach Tree War	1655
Currency	Swedish riksdaler
Preceded by Succeeded by New Netherland Susquehannock New Netherland
Today part of	United States

New Sweden (in Swedish: Nya Sverige, in Finnish: Uusi-Ruotsi) was a small Swedish colony in North America. It existed from 1638 until 1655. This colony was located in what is now the states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Its main settlement, or capital, was Fort Christina, which is now the city of Wilmington.

The Dutch took over New Sweden in 1655. After that, it became part of their larger colony called New Netherland.

Why Sweden Started a Colony

In the 1600s, many European countries wanted to set up colonies. Colonies helped countries get rich by trading goods like animal furs. They also gave countries more power and land. Sweden wanted to join this race for colonies.

The Idea for New Sweden

A man named Samuel Blommaert, a Dutch merchant, first suggested the idea. He had worked for the Dutch West India Company. He knew a lot about the fur trade in North America. Blommaert convinced the Swedish government that a colony would be a good idea.

First Steps

In 1637, the New Sweden Company was created. It was a trading company that would fund the colony. The company planned to trade furs with Native Americans. They also hoped to grow tobacco.

Founding the Colony

The first group of Swedish and Finnish settlers sailed to North America in 1637. They traveled on two ships: the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fogel Grip.

Peter Minuit's Role

The expedition was led by Peter Minuit. He was a former governor of New Netherland. Minuit knew the area well. When they arrived in March 1638, they landed near what is now Wilmington, Delaware.

Buying the Land

Minuit bought land from the Lenape people. He paid them with goods like kettles and axes. This land was along the Delaware River. The Swedes then built a fort there. They named it Fort Christina after the young Swedish Queen, Queen Christina.

Life in New Sweden

Life in the colony was not easy. The settlers faced challenges like harsh weather and building new homes.

The Settlers

Most of the early settlers were Swedish and Finnish farmers. Many Finns were used to farming in forests. They used a method called "slash-and-burn" to clear land. This helped them grow crops in the new world.

Governors of the Colony

New Sweden had several governors. One of the most famous was Johan Björnsson Printz. He was a very large man, weighing over 400 pounds! Governor Printz arrived in 1643. He built new forts and tried to make the colony stronger. He also worked to keep peace with the Native Americans.

Relations with Native Americans

The Swedish settlers traded with the local Lenape and Susquehannock tribes. They exchanged European goods for valuable beaver and otter furs. These furs were then sent back to Sweden. The relationships were mostly peaceful at first.

End of New Sweden

New Sweden was located very close to the Dutch colony of New Netherland. The Dutch believed the land belonged to them. They had claimed it earlier.

Growing Tensions

Over time, the Dutch and Swedes argued more and more. Both sides wanted control of the fur trade and the land. The Dutch governor, Peter Stuyvesant, was determined to remove the Swedes.

The Dutch Takeover

In 1655, Peter Stuyvesant led a strong Dutch force. They sailed to New Sweden with several ships and many soldiers. They surrounded Fort Christina. The Swedish settlers were outnumbered and could not fight back.

After a short siege, Governor Johan Risingh surrendered. New Sweden officially became part of New Netherland. This ended Sweden's only colony in North America.

Legacy of New Sweden

Even though New Sweden lasted only 17 years, it left a lasting mark.

• Many Swedish and Finnish families stayed in the area. Their descendants still live there today.
• Some of their traditions, like log cabin building, influenced American architecture. The C. A. Nothnagle Log House is an example of this.
• The city of Wilmington, Delaware, still celebrates its Swedish heritage.

Images for kids

• 

  The C. A. Nothnagle Log House in Gibbstown, New Jersey, built in 1638, is one of the oldest houses in New Jersey.

• 

  A US Postage stamp from 1938, celebrating the founding of Wilmington, Delaware.

See also

In Spanish: Nueva Suecia para niños