Swedish colonization of the Americas

European colonization of the Americas

History of the Americas

Viking colonization

British colonization

Danish colonization

Dutch colonization

French colonization

German colonization

Portuguese colonization

Russian colonization

Scottish colonization

Spanish colonization

Swedish colonization

The Swedish colonization of the Americas consisted of a 17th century settlement on the Delaware River in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and possessions in the Caribbean during the 18th and 19th century.

North America

• New Sweden (1638-1655) Colony centered in Delaware but with other settlements such as New Stockholm and Swedesboro in New Jersey. Conquered by the Dutch, who perceived the presence of Swedish colonists in North America as a threat to their interests in the New Netherlands colony. The Swedish colonists stayed.

Caribbean

• Saint-Barthélemy (1785-1878) Operated as a porto franco (free port).
• Guadeloupe (1813-1814) Came into Swedish possession as a consequence of the Napoleonic Wars. It gave rise to the Guadeloupe Fund.

See also

• Possessions of Sweden
• Colonial governors in 1816