Zaan Region, Slavery, and Colonial History
The Zaan region can be regarded as the cradle of Dutch industry. Beginning in the seventeenth century, this area became the center of Dutch shipbuilding and various other manufacturing sectors.
Timber and ships were produced here from an early stage, laying the foundation for Dutch colonial expansion and the transatlantic slave trade. In addition, numerous colonial goods were processed and further traded in the region. These colonial connections have left a lasting impact, for example in the region’s ties to the (international) food industry and in its multicultural population.
This research project will explore several key themes, including: the administrative involvement and roles of Zaan region families and entrepreneurs in colonial and slavery-related histories; the production of goods in the Zaan region in relation to global colonial systems of exploitation; and the lasting effects of colonialism and slavery on the region’s economic and social structures.
Due to the unique industrial and social history of the Zaan region, this research holds not only significant local value but also substantial national and international relevance.
The project is being carried out by Micaela Cabrita da Palma and Stephanie Welvaart, under supervision of Ulbe Bosma en Matthias van Rossum, and commissioned by the Municipality of Zaanstad. It will result in a public-oriented report.
Project duration: 2025–2026
