New Amsterdam, the capital of New Netherland, and how it became New York.
In the 17th century, the Dutch established New Amsterdam, pronounced “Nieuw Amsterdam,” at the southern end of Manhattan Island. It functioned as the center of colonial government for New Netherland. Initially, a trading factory was established which eventually led to the creation of a settlement around Fort Amsterdam.
The fort was located at the strategic southern tip of Manhattan island and was meant to defend the fur trade operations of the Dutch West India Company in the North River (Hudson River).
By 1664, the population of New Netherland had risen to almost 9,000 people, 2,500 of whom lived in New Amsterdam. Then the city suddenly turned into New York overnight. It was renamed New York on September 8, 1664, in honor of the then Duke of York (later James II of England), in whose name the English had captured it.
In 1667 the Dutch gave up their claim to the town and the rest of the colony, in exchange for control of the Spice Islands. Was it a good deal? Well, possibly, but what spices? And why is that man hanging in the middle of the picture below?
