Willem Kieft facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Willem Kieft
6th Director of New Netherland
In office 1638–1647
Preceded by	Wouter van Twiller
Succeeded by	Peter Stuyvesant
Personal details
Born	September 1597 Amsterdam
Died	September 27, 1647(1647-09-27) (aged 49–50) Princess Amelia, near Swansea, Wales
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Willem Kieft (born September 1597 – died September 27, 1647) was a Dutch businessman. He served as the Director of New Netherland from 1638 to 1647. New Netherland was a Dutch colony in North America. Its main city was New Amsterdam, which is now New York City.

Willem Kieft's Early Career

Willem Kieft was chosen to be the director of New Netherland in 1638. He was appointed by the Dutch West India Company. This company was a powerful trading group. It managed Dutch colonies and trade in the Americas.

Forming a Council

When Kieft arrived, he created a group called the Twelve Men. This was the first time colonists had a say in their government. It was a step towards a more representative government. However, Kieft often did not listen to their advice.

Conflicts with Native Americans

Kieft tried to make local Native American groups pay taxes. When they refused, he tried to force them out of their lands. This led to serious problems and fighting.

The Start of Kieft's War

On February 25, 1643, Kieft ordered attacks on Native American villages. These attacks happened in areas like Pavonia and Corlears Hook. Many Native Americans, including women and children, were killed. The Dutch citizens' advisory group had strongly advised against these attacks. They were shocked by what happened. These events started a major conflict known as Kieft's War.

Kieft's War: A Difficult Period

Kieft's War lasted from 1643 to 1645. It caused a lot of damage and loss of life for both the Dutch settlers and the Native American tribes. The war made life very difficult in the colony. Because of the war's negative impact, the leaders of the Dutch West India Company decided to remove Kieft from his position in 1647.

Kieft's Successor

After Kieft was fired, Peter Stuyvesant took over as the new Director of New Netherland. Stuyvesant would become a very well-known figure in the colony's history.

Willem Kieft's Death

Willem Kieft died on September 27, 1647. He was on a ship called the Princess Amelia. The ship was sailing back to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Kieft was going there to explain his actions during the war. Sadly, the ship was wrecked near Swansea, Wales. Many people on board died, including some of Kieft's opponents.

Lost Records

Kieft's personal records and documents were also lost in the shipwreck. This means that historians mostly rely on what his opponents wrote about him. Because of this, it's hard to know his exact role in some events.

In Popular Culture

Willem Kieft is shown in the "Gods of Manhattan" book series. These books were written by Scott Mebus.

See also

In Spanish: Willem Kieft para niños