The 13 Colonies- New York Colony: History Project

Summary

This video explores the history of New York, beginning with its Dutch roots in the 1600s, when New Amsterdam was established as a trading hub. The Dutch built a thriving colony, focusing on fur trade and ironworks before it was taken over by the English in 1664 and renamed New York. The video also touches on various colonial industries, including farming, iron production, and textiles, while highlighting the architectural styles, religious freedom, and the colony's reputation as a 'breadbasket' due to its fertile soil and abundant crops.

Takeaways

• 📜 The middle colonies, including New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, had qualities of both the soil-rich southern colonies and the wooded New England colonies.
• 🇳🇱 New York began as the Dutch colony New Netherland in 1624, with its key settlement New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island.
• 🛠️ The Dutch focused on fur trading for profit rather than agriculture, with furs made into expensive clothing and sold in Europe.
• 💰 In 1664, the English took control of New Netherland without conflict and renamed it New York, allowing the Dutch and English to live together peacefully.
• 🏠 The colony’s architecture was influenced by Dutch and German settlers, with Dutch colonial houses having steep gambrel roofs and German colonial houses made from thick sandstone walls.
• ⚙️ Ironworks became an important industry in New York, providing essential materials like barrel hoops, tools, and ship anchors, with a large workforce including slaves.
• 🧵 The textiles industry in New York, boosted by hemp and flax farms, produced materials like linen for clothing and sails.
• 🦫 The fur trade, especially in beaver pelts, was a key aspect of New York’s economy, trading with native populations.
• ✝️ New York was religiously diverse and free, allowing various religious groups such as Quakers, Jews, Lutherans, and Puritans to live and practice freely.
• 🌾 New York was known as a 'breadbasket colony' due to its fertile land that supported extensive crop farming, especially wheat.

Q & A

When did the Dutch establish their first trading posts along the Hudson River?

The Dutch set up trading posts along the Hudson River in 1613 to trade furs.

What was the name of the Dutch colony established by the Dutch West India Company in 1624?

The Dutch colony established by the Dutch West India Company in 1624 was called New Netherland.

What was the name of the successful settlement on the southern tip of Manhattan Island?

The successful settlement on the southern tip of Manhattan Island was called New Amsterdam.

Who was responsible for building Fort Amsterdam in 1625?

Fort Amsterdam was built in 1625 under the direction of Willem Verhulst, the second director of the New Netherland colony, and its chief engineer Cryn Frederickz.

What was the primary purpose of the Dutch founding New Netherland?

The Dutch founded New Netherland primarily for trading and profit, not necessarily for agriculture.

How much did Peter Minuit pay for Manhattan Island in 1626?

Peter Minuit bought Manhattan Island for $24 worth of goods from the natives in 1626.

Who took charge of New Amsterdam in 1647 and what was his leadership style like?

Peter Stuyvesant took charge of New Amsterdam in 1647. His leadership style was snobbish and spiteful towards Protestants, making him an unpopular leader.

What was King Charles II of England's motive for capturing New Netherland?

King Charles II of England aimed to capture New Netherland to take over the fur trade and give it to his younger brother, James, Duke of York.

How did New Amsterdam come under English control in 1664?

New Amsterdam came under English control without firing a single shot in 1664 when the English Navy ordered the Dutch to surrender and promised to protect the lives and property of those who accepted English rule.

What was the name change of New Amsterdam after it came under English control?

After coming under English control, New Amsterdam was renamed to New York.

What types of houses were common in the New York colony?

The houses in the New York colony were generally small and made of brick or sometimes wood. There were various types of houses, such as the Dutch colonial style, German colonial style, and the row house.

What was the significance of iron works in the New York colony?

Iron works became the backbone of the middle colonies during colonial times. Iron was used for various purposes like barrel hoops, chains and anchors for ships, tools, bars, kettles, and nails.

What were the main industries in the New York colony?

The main industries in the New York colony included the production of iron ore, textiles, lumber, furs, and shipbuilding.

What was the religious environment like in the New York colony?

New York colony was religiously free, allowing for a variety of religious groups such as Quakers, Puritans, Jews, Lutherans, and others.

What was the climate like in the New York colony during summer and winter?

During summer, the temperature in the New York colony was usually between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. During winter, the temperature dropped down to at least 0 to negative 25 degrees Celsius.