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New York's Founding
- New York was peopled by the Native American Indians long before the Vikings explored it and long before the Dutch colonists rediscovered and settled it. When Peter Minuit bought it, New York was not yet founded for the charter for New Amsterdam (as New York City under the Dutch was called) was not granted until 1624 or almost two years after Peter Minuit purchased it from the Indians. New York was "founded" as a city in 1624 because the Dutch 1) needed a trading outpost for beaver pelts; and 2) the city had a great and strategically located port. The British took New Amsterdam almost by force in 1664 and renamed it New York City after the brother of the King of England, the Duke of York.
- Why? To make money... The Dutch (or Nederlanders, or Walloons, or whatever...) established "New Amsterdam" (as "New York" was originally known) as a trading post and commercial colony. It was no nation, but rather a private corporation, the Dutch West Indies Company (DWIC), that wanted to set up colonies as, you might say, franchises: people who wanted to try a new life, could go to one of their pre-established colonies, and give it a shot. They would then support industries in which the DWIC was engaged. The business in New Amsterdam was beaver pelts. This was a very popular material in Europe, particularly for hats (beaver is somewhat waterproof) and the Americas had a huge supply. Trappers would come down the Hudson and other rivers with beaver pelts, and trade them for goods. The DWIC would take their cut, and all would be happy. Problem was, the beaver trade was not lucrative enough to cover the cost of running and protecting a distant colony. So, when the British threatened to take New Amsterdam by force, the Dutch simply gave it up. As to why the British wanted it, it had a good port, and the Dutch were in the way of their consolidating the region under their control.
- Actually, the mayor of New Amsterdam sent a call out for arms against the English. However, since he was largely unliked by the colonists there no one bothered with it. They were nowhere near ready to fight.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoKing Charles II wanted to stop the pirates and smuggles between thr northern and southern English colonies. He sent his brother the Duke of York (James II) to take over New Amsterdam. After taking the colony form the Dutch governor, Peter Stuyvesent, James II renamed the colony New York.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe New York Colony was founded for religious freedom
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoHenry Hudson went down the Hudson River and they settled there as they were looking for a north west passage :)
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What were taxes like in colonial New York?
Everyone was taxed in colonial new york. :)
What were celebrations and fun things to do in colonial New York?
A celebration in colonial New York was New Years Eve. A fun thing that people did in colonial New York was go to the theater.
What was the polulation in colonial times in New York?
The population in New York in colonial times was diverse.
What year was New York University founded?
New York University founded in 1831.
Government of colonial New York?
The government of colonial New York resided in a governor and an elected assembly.
How was colonial new york founded?
The first people to come to Colonial New York were the Quakers. The Quakers stopped in New York before moving on to Pennsylvania.
Who founded colonial New York?
Peter Minuit founded New York in1626. At this time the colony was called New Netherland. In 1674, King Charles II took over and named it New York, after his brother, the Duke of York.
How was New York founded?
The first people to come to Colonial New York were the Quakers. The Quakers stopped in New York before moving on to Pennsylvania.
How did the New York Colony start?
it started as the Netherlands in colonial times founded by peter Minuit
What were some contributions of Colonial New York?
What were some contributions of Colonial New York
What were taxes like in colonial New York?
Everyone was taxed in colonial new york. :)
What were celebrations and fun things to do in colonial New York?
A celebration in colonial New York was New Years Eve. A fun thing that people did in colonial New York was go to the theater.
How did colonial new york get its name?
Colonial New York was named after the King of England's brother, the Duke of York.
What was the polulation in colonial times in New York?
The population in New York in colonial times was diverse.
What was the education like in colonial New York?
education in colonial new york wasn't that important
What year was New York University founded?
New York University founded in 1831.
Government of colonial New York?
The government of colonial New York resided in a governor and an elected assembly.
