Dutch Americans have a reputation for being an industrious people with a strong work ethic. From dairy farming to tulip growing to furniture manufacturing, they have dominated numerous industries.
The First Potato Famine
Immigration from the Netherlands began early in colonial American history. This occurred most notably in New York, where industrious merchants populated Manhattan and laid the foundations for the city that is now the financial capital of the world.It was not until the 19th century, though, that Dutch immigration became a wave. The spur was an agricultural disaster in the 1840s known as the Dutch Potato Famine. Though it did not occur on as wide a scale as the Irish famine, it still resulted in about 50,000 deaths.
Poor people, unable to afford luxuries like pork, beef, or even wheaten bread, relied on the nutritious potato as the main ingredient for most of their meals. For many farmers throughout Europe, this crop was life.
When a fungus-like micro-organism known as Phytophthora infestans began turning potatoes black in the Netherlands, those who did not starve left in search of more promising opportunities.
The easiest way to trace the origins of Dutch settlements today is to look at the names of places. The Midwest is full of these designations. “Holland” naturally predominates: Holland, Michigan; South Holland, Illinois; New Holland, Illinois. Other names like Vriesland, Noordeloos, Delft, and Zeeland also betray their roots.
A Short Man With a Big Vision
Famine was not the only reason for leaving the Netherlands. As with the earlier English Puritans, many the Dutch came to American shores to escape religious persecution. One clergyman named Albertus van Raalte, a man who stood at only 5 feet 3 inches but commanded much respect, took a systematic approach to ensure no traveler would be rootless.
His mission was to form a colony that allowed for freedom of worship and economic opportunity. He considered every problem of emigration, even drawing up a constitution titled “Rules for the Society of Christians for the Holland Emigration to the United States of North America.”
This governing document would apply to two communities: one operating in the Netherlands, and one in America. Local individuals and churches donated money to purchase land and help immigrants too poor to pay their way. All men 20 years and older were eligible for membership and were obliged to work the land at least two days each year.
In 1846, Van Raalte and 100 emigrants set sail for New York. Another 900 would follow the next year. Paying $1.25 per acre, Van Raalte purchased a large tract of land in Western Michigan and founded the town of Holland.
Like the Puritans, the Dutch faced many challenges in the colony’s early years—from bad harvests to learning the perplexing syntax of the English language. Under Van Raalte’s spiritual leadership, though, the community thrived and branched out to other settlements. He established the First Reformed Church of Holland. To educate the children of the colonists, he also laid the groundwork for what would become Hope College.
Thanks to these efforts, Dutch immigrants were able to transplant their cultural traditions in a new land and settle successfully without the same level of struggle and hardship that other groups, like the Irish, faced. Villages centered around church spires began to spring up throughout the Midwest.
Finding Success in Industry
By the early 20th century, Holland, Michigan boasted a number of successful businesses. Among these were furniture manufacturers, a pickle factory, a furnace company, and tourist resorts. Most famously, it began a major center for tulip cultivation and started an annual festival, Tulip Time, that is held to this day.
Elsewhere, other Dutch communities found successful niches in the economy. Kalamazoo, Michigan, became known as “The Paper City” for its contribution to this sector. For similar reasons, Grand Rapids was called “Furniture City.”
Dutch Americans today still emphasize education, just as Albertus van Raalte once did. They are particularly prominent in the humanities, where they have tended to go into professions such as the ministry and university teaching. More technical fields like medicine, engineering, and contracting are also occupations they pursue. This love of learning no doubt contributes to their strong character already nurtured by religious beliefs, family values, and entrepreneurship. The Dutch American community continues to build on a proud legacy of success and fulfillment.
