From New Amsterdam to New York Illustrated - @MrBettsClass

Summary

This script narrates the transformation of New Amsterdam into New York, detailing its Dutch colonial history. It discusses the indigenous Lenape people, the arrival of Dutch settlers, and the myth of purchasing Manhattan for $24 worth of goods. It also covers the colony's development, its diverse and tolerant society, conflicts with native tribes, and the eventual peaceful surrender to the English in 1664, leading to its renaming as New York.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The English colonies were beginning to unite by 1664, with all New England colonies founded and most of the southern colonies established, except for Georgia.
• 🗺️ New Netherland, a Dutch colony with its capital New Amsterdam, was a gap in the English colonies' coastal presence, located in what is now New York City.
• 🏞️ Manhattan, originally called Mannahatta by the Lenape people, was an island with a rich natural environment where the Lenape lived and thrived.
• 🛶 In 1609, Henry Hudson explored the area, recognizing the potential for trade in beaver pelts and claimed the region for the Dutch.
• 🏘️ The Dutch West India Company sent the first settlers to the area in 1624, establishing a presence before the English could fully claim the land.
• 💰 The story of Peter Minuit purchasing Manhattan for $24 worth of goods is a myth; the actual transaction was 60 Dutch guilders, equivalent to about a thousand dollars today.
• 🤝 The Dutch colony became somewhat religiously and politically tolerant, which was progressive for the time, attracting a diverse population.
• 🏗️ New Amsterdam developed infrastructure, including mills, and offered land grants to those who could bring over colonists, contributing to its growth.
• 🔍 Relations with the Lenape were complex, with periods of conflict and negotiation, including the building of protective walls that later became Wall Street.
• 🦿 Peter Stuyvesant, known for his peg leg, attempted to bring order to the colony but faced resistance from the diverse population.
• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮 Without a fight, New Amsterdam and New Netherland were surrendered to the English in 1664 and renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Dutch colony New Netherland in the context of English colonies in America?

New Netherland, with its capital New Amsterdam, was significant because it filled the gap between the English colonies, preventing them from forming a continuous coastal presence in America.

What was the original name of the island that is now known as Manhattan?

The original name of the island was Mannahatta, which meant 'Haley Island' for the Lenape people, the indigenous inhabitants of the area.

What was the Dutch leader Peter Minuit's role in the establishment of New Amsterdam?

Peter Minuit, as the Dutch leader, negotiated the purchase of Manhattan from the Lenape people, which led to the establishment of the settlement of New Amsterdam.

What was the misconception about the purchase of Manhattan involving 'beads'?

The misconception is that Manhattan was purchased for $24 worth of beads. In reality, the transaction was for the equivalent of sixty Dutch guilders, which could have been goods other than beads.

How did the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam become more religiously and politically tolerant?

New Amsterdam, initially a company settlement with religious and political intolerance, evolved to become more tolerant due to the diverse population it attracted and the progressive policies of its leaders.

What was the role of Jonas Bronck in the New Netherland colony?

Jonas Bronck was a patron who controlled much of what came to be known as the Bronx, as he was granted large tracts of land in exchange for bringing colonists to the area.

How did the relationship between the Dutch settlers and the Lenape people affect the development of New Amsterdam?

The strained relationship between the Dutch settlers and the Lenape people led to the construction of protective walls, which eventually became Wall Street, and also influenced the colony's policies and governance.

Who was William Kipp, and what was his impact on New Amsterdam?

William Kipp was a colonial director of New Amsterdam known for his harsh treatment of the Lenape people, which led to strained relations and the need for protective measures such as walls.

What was the significance of Peter Stuyvesant's leadership in New Amsterdam?

Peter Stuyvesant, known for his peg leg, brought order to the colony, made peace with local tribes, and attempted to regulate various aspects of life in New Amsterdam, including crackdowns on smugglers and efforts to enforce religious conformity.

How did the English take control of New Amsterdam in 1664?

The English took control of New Amsterdam without a fight when four English frigates with 450 soldiers arrived in the harbor. The diverse population of New Amsterdam did not support Stuyvesant in resisting the English, leading to a peaceful surrender.

What was the ultimate fate of the Dutch colony New Netherland?

New Netherland was surrendered to the English and later renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York, who was given the land by his brother, King Charles II.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ The Founding of New Amsterdam and New Netherland

This paragraph discusses the establishment of New Amsterdam and the Dutch colony of New Netherland in what is now New York City. It begins with the historical context of English colonies in the 17th century and the gap in their coastal presence due to the Dutch colony. The narrative then shifts to the Lenape people's original inhabitation of the island, known as Mannahatta, and their way of life. The arrival of Henry Hudson in 1609, representing the Dutch, is highlighted, along with the founding of New Netherland in 1624. The paragraph also touches on the myth of the purchase of Manhattan for $24 worth of beads, explaining the misconceptions and the actual value of the transaction.

Keywords

💡New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam was the original name for the settlement that later became New York City. It was a Dutch colony established in the early 17th century and was the capital of the larger colony of New Netherland. The term is central to the video's narrative, illustrating the Dutch origins of what is now a major American city. The script mentions the transition of the settlement from a company town to a more tolerant society and its eventual surrender to the English.

💡New Netherland

New Netherland refers to the Dutch colony in North America that encompassed parts of present-day New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut. It is a key concept in the video as it provides the historical context for the development of the region and the establishment of New Amsterdam. The script discusses the founding of New Netherland and its transformation under various leaders until its surrender to the English.

💡Lenape

The Lenape are an indigenous people who originally inhabited the area now known as New York City and the surrounding region. They are mentioned in the script as the original inhabitants of Manhattan, or Mannahatta, and their interaction with the Dutch settlers is a significant part of the video's historical account. The Lenape's perspective and their supposed 'sale' of Manhattan are discussed, highlighting the cultural and historical complexities of the period.

💡Henry Hudson

Henry Hudson was an English explorer who sailed on behalf of the Dutch East India Company in search of the Northwest Passage. His exploration of the river that now bears his name is a pivotal moment in the video's storyline, as it led to the Dutch claim over the region that would become New Netherland. The script notes Hudson's failure to find the passage but his success in recognizing the value of the land for its beaver pelts.

💡Dutch West India Company

The Dutch West India Company was a trading company established by the Dutch Republic to protect its trade in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In the context of the video, the company played a crucial role in the establishment of the first Dutch settlements in North America, including New Amsterdam. The script mentions the arrival of the first settlers from this company, marking the beginning of Dutch colonization in the region.

💡Peter Minuit

Peter Minuit was a Dutch director of New Netherland who is famously associated with the purchase of Manhattan from the Lenape. The term is significant in the video as it discusses the myth and reality of the transaction, which is often simplified to the purchase of Manhattan for $24 worth of beads. The script explores the misconceptions and the actual historical context of this event.

💡Manhattan

Manhattan, originally known as Mannahatta to the Lenape, is the subject of the video's discussion on the early history of New York City. The term is central to the video's theme as it discusses the island's transformation from a Lenape hunting ground to a Dutch settlement and eventually to an English colony. The script also touches on the supposed 'purchase' of the island and its significance in the founding of New Amsterdam.

💡William Kieft

William Kieft was a colonial director of New Netherland who is depicted in the script as having strained relations with the Lenape and other neighboring tribes. His leadership is portrayed as contentious, leading to the construction of a protective wall, which humorously the script relates to modern-day Wall Street. Kieft's tenure is significant in the video's narrative as it illustrates the challenges faced by the Dutch colony.

💡Peter Stuyvesant

Peter Stuyvesant was the last Dutch director of New Netherland and is characterized in the script by his peg leg and strict governance. His rule is a key part of the video's storyline, showing his attempts to bring order to the colony and his eventual surrender to the English in 1664. The script uses Stuyvesant's character to highlight the cultural and political shifts within the colony.

💡1664 English Conquest

The 1664 English Conquest refers to the event when English forces arrived in New Amsterdam and the subsequent surrender of the Dutch colony without a fight. This term is crucial to the video's narrative as it marks the end of Dutch control and the beginning of English rule, leading to the renaming of New Amsterdam to New York. The script describes the lack of resistance and the peaceful transition of power.

💡Duke of York

The Duke of York, in the context of the video, refers to James, who was given the land that included New Netherland by his brother, King Charles II. This term is significant as it connects the renaming of New Amsterdam to New York with the English nobility. The script mentions this as part of the historical process that led to the establishment of New York as an English colony.

Highlights

By 1664, English colonies were uniting, with all New England colonies founded and most southern colonies established, except for Georgia.

A Dutch colony, New Netherland, with its capital New Amsterdam, was a gap in the English coastal presence in present-day New York City.

Manhattan, originally called Mannahatta by the Lenape people, was an island rich in resources for the indigenous population.

The Lenape people lived on Mannahatta, constructing dome-shaped houses and relying on hunting and fishing.

Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage for the Dutch led to the claim of New Netherland, despite not finding the Northwest Passage.

1624 marked the arrival of the first Dutch settlers, establishing a foothold in what is now Governors Island.

The Dutch West India Company settlers intended to move to the next island over, leading to the founding of New Amsterdam.

The myth of Peter Minuit purchasing Manhattan for $24 worth of goods is debunked, with the actual value being around sixty Dutch guilders.

The nature of the agreement with the Lenape is unclear, with questions about land ownership and the identity of the tribe involved.

New Amsterdam's early years were marked by the establishment of mills and a growing tolerance for religious diversity.

Colonists were granted land and privileges for bringing settlers, leading to the exploitation of new arrivals.

Tensions with the Lenape and neighboring tribes escalated, particularly under the leadership of William Kipp.

Peter Stuyvesant's tenure as colonial director saw efforts to bring order and make peace with local tribes.

Stuyvesant's strict policies attempted to regulate taverns and crack down on smuggling, as well as religious freedom.

The arrival of English frigates in 1664 led to the peaceful surrender of New Amsterdam, due to lack of resistance from its diverse population.

New Netherland was renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York, after its transfer to English control.

The transcript humorously suggests that the Duke of York's Christmas gift was more valuable than the narrator's sibling gift of a Target gift card.

The video recommends the book 'The Island at the Center of the World' for further reading on the subject.

Transcripts

from New Amsterdam to New York by 1664

the English colonies were really

starting to come together all of the New

England colonies had been founded and

with the exception of slowpoke Georgia

the southern colonies were in full

effect but there was a gap that

prevented the English from attaining a

coastal tic-tac-toe and that gap was a

Dutch colony called New Netherland and

its capital New Amsterdam located in

current day New York City

but before any of this today's Manhattan

was an island called mannahatta

which for the Lenape its original

inhabitants meant Haley Island the

Lenape made dome-shaped houses using

bark from the thousands of trees on the

island they hunted deer and fished

oysters out of the East River

sidenote I wouldn't go in the East River

even if I were on fire but things would

start to change in 1609 Henry Hudson

representing the Dodge sailed up the

river that would bear his name looking

for the Northwest Passage eventually he

realized whoa this river certainly goes

north but there ain't nothin West about

it and returned to Holland but not

before noticing the potential gold mined

of beaver pelts and claiming dibs on

what would become the Dutch colony of

New Netherland cut to 1624 when the

first settlers from the Dutch West India

Company arrived on northen Island today

Governors Island it's a good thing they

finally got here too because just four

years earlier settlers from a rival

nation had intended to arrive in the

same area but ended up a few hundred

miles northeast you might heard of them

the pilgrims anyway the next year they

decided to move to the next island over

and the settlement of New Amsterdam was

founded but the Dutch wouldn't be alone

on the island which leads us to the myth

of the beads as the story goes dutch

leader Peter Minuit negotiated the

purchase of Manhattan for $24 worth of

beads first it wasn't beads well it

could have been but it could have been

anything we don't know but we do know is

that it was the equivalent of sixty

Dutch guilders and 60 guilders today is

more like a thousand dollars in 24 still

not great but better then there's the

idea that it was sold it's a

misconception that Native Americans

believed no man can own the

but it's not clear whether the Dutch

bought the land or just bought the right

to share the land to ban the Lenape I

didn't know that European settlers

weren't much for sharing lastly there's

the theory that it wasn't even the

Lenape that made the agreement but some

other tribe on its way to Long Island

thus the tradition of taking advantage

of immigrants fresh off the boat begins

anywho while the colony never really

thrived it did survive mills were built

to take advantage of creeks and rivers

and because well these are the Dutch New

Amsterdam while originally a company

settlement that was religiously and

politically intolerant became a little

religiously and politically tolerant

which was like super progressive for the

time throughout the New Netherland

colony protrude ships or large tracts of

land were given to those who could bring

50 colonists over and promptly exploit

them one patron Jonas Bronk controlled

much of what came to be known as the

Bronx currently owned by the Yankees

Who am I kidding Yanks owned all of New

York Yankees rule yes

relations with the Lenape and other

neighboring tribes were strained

especially when New Amsterdam was led by

a colonial director William Kipp just a

real jerk of a guy things got so bad

that settlers had to build a wall to

protect themselves from natives which

eventually became the street known as

Fifth Avenue no I'm kidding today it's

Wall Street context clues so horrible

William chefs was fired and replaced by

Peter Stuyvesant come on man look at

that guy dude has a peg leg and he

didn't lose it to some weird 17th

century disease he lost it to a

cannonball he's a cannonball Oh

diamond was also determined to bring

some order to the colony for the most

part he made peace with local tribes

helped by the fact that they were busy

fighting each other over furs

he's regulated saloons crackdown on

smugglers and pretty much tried to

outlaw Lutheran's Jews and Quakers who

would have known that a wooden cyborg

would be so cold so it should be no

surprise that when four english frigates

with 450 soldiers arrived in new

amsterdam harbor in august 1664 no one

wanted to fight for Stuyvesant by this

point only half of the residents of the

diverse settlement we're even

Dutch they pretty much said if you want

to fight the English throw your leg at

him I'm headed to the pub New Amsterdam

and in effect New Netherland was

surrendered without a shot and later

renamed New York after the duke of york

who was given the land by his brother

king charles ii must be nice

last christmas i think my brother got me

a target gift card

let me know in the comments what's the

best or worst present your sibling ever

got you if you want to learn more check

out the island at the centre of the

world by russell short o link below like

share sub support on patreon if able

like the awesome doctor max and Kelly

Thompson check out the recommended

videos be safe and I'll see you next

time