Why New York Was Called New Amsterdam

new york was called new amsterdam

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Three hundred and fifty-six years ago, New Amsterdam City was titled New York City. On 8 September 1664, Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant surrendered New Amsterdam, New Netherlands, to an English naval officer under Colonel Richard Nicolls. It was officially established in New York City.

New York Was Called New Amsterdam

Stuyvesant had wished to resist the English, but he was an infamous ruler, and his Dutch subjects refused to rally around him. After its capture, New Amsterdam was renamed New York. It was done so in honor of the Duke of York, who led the mission.

Dutch ships coming to New York(then New Amsterdam)

The Dutch West India Company established the colony of New Netherland in 1624 and grew to accommodate all of today’s New York City, New Jersey, and parts of Long Island. A successful Dutch settlement in the colony rose on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, which was previously known as New Amsterdam. 

What Did The Dutch Governor Do?
Dutch Governor along with local Native Americans

To legitimize Dutch claims to New Amsterdam, Dutch Governor Peter Minuit purchased the city of Manhattan in 1626 from the local tribe. As per a belief, the Manhattans – Indians of Algonquian linguistic stock agreed to surrender the island in exchange for trinkets of $24. They were unaware of European traditions of contracts and property. 

Also Read – Unknown Facts About Jeff Bezos, Journey Of World’s Second Richest Man.

Immediately, The Manhattans got into a conflict with the expanding Dutch settlement at New Amsterdam. In 1641, the Manhattans and the Colonists fought a war that led to the death of over 1000 Indians and settlers.

New Amsterdam Was Renamed New York City
Image of Manhattan City

In 1664, New Amsterdam passed to British control. The British and Dutch settlers resided there in harmony together. In 1673, a short interruption of English rule happened, and the Netherlands temporarily ruled the settlement. In 1674, the British eventually got New York, and in the year 1686, it was crowned as the first city in the colonies to receive a royal charter. After the American Revolution, it became the first capital of the United States.

Conclusion

This is how New Amsterdam was eventually renamed New York City. Hence on February 2, 1653, New Amsterdam (New York City) was officially incorporated, and this is why New York was called New Amsterdam

For more related posts, visit Discover.

Wilson Minz: