New Amsterdam
History
New Amsterdam was a 17th-century Dutch settlement established at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, which served as the seat of the colonial government in New Netherland territory. The factorij became a settlement outside Fort Amsterdam. The fort was situated on the strategic southern tip of the island of Manhattan and was meant to defend the fur trade operations of the Dutch West India Company in the North River (Hudson River). In 1624, it became a provincial extension of the Dutch Republic and was designated as the capital of the province in 1625.
Dutch Rule
During the Dutch rule, New Amsterdam boasted a diverse population, with inhabitants from different parts of the world. The Dutch West India Company would transport African slaves to the newly formed colonies to work on the farms. In addition, the city was home to Jews who had fled persecution in Spain and Portugal. The Dutch would also bring in immigrants from other parts of Europe, such as the Huguenots, to work in the colony.
English Conquest
In 1664, New Amsterdam passed to English control, and English Governor Richard Nicolls renamed the settlement New York, after the Duke of York. The Dutch, under Director General Stuyvesant, resisted the English takeover, but ultimately surrendered without bloodshed. The English continued to allow the Dutch residents to maintain their land and Dutch customs.
Impact on Modern New York
Despite the change of control, the Dutch influence is still evident in New York today. Many places retain Dutch names, such as Brooklyn (from Breukelen), Harlem (from Haarlem), and Staten Island (from Staten Eylandt). The Dutch also introduced concepts such as the free trade system, which New York is famous for, and the idea of a "melting pot" of cultures.