This volume analyzes the unprecedented degree of religious toleration in Dutch Brazil between 1624 and 1654. The history of tolerance in the early modern Dutch Republic is examined, highlighting its pragmatic solution to religious pluriformity and its perceived social and economic benefits. The book specifically focuses on the Dutch West India Company's export of this tradition to its New World colonies, with particular attention to New Holland. The analysis includes the position of Sephardic Jews in Recife and Mauritsstad, and the Portuguese responses to this religious tolerance.

The book delves into the complex history of tolerance within the Dutch Republic and its extension to colonial territories, particularly Dutch Brazil. It highlights the pragmatic and economic advantages that tolerance offered, making it a key aspect of Dutch colonial policy. The specific focus on the Sephardic Jewish community in Recife and Mauritsstad provides a detailed case study of how tolerance was implemented and perceived in practice. The work contributes to the understanding of religious diversity and its management in early modern colonial settings.