Virtual Field Trip The Colonial Era

The Golden Age was a time of commerce and cultural creation for the Dutch. The waves
of this golden age had eventual repercussions that greatly impacted the beginnings of New York.
By the 17th century the Netherlands were the leading commercial power for Europe. The Dutch
revolution started in 1566 during which they struggled with the Spaniards. In 1609, a truce was
established between Spain and the Dutch. Following this peace, the Spanish recognized the
Netherlands independence and thus began a bloom in the Dutch economy, politics and cultural
expansion.
             New Amsterdam was a 17th century Dutch settlement that was established in the early
1600’s, now modern-day New York. New Amsterdam was known for investors trading in Fur
and other commodities. Its territory stretched from the Hudson River to Connecticut River and
finished off all the way down at the Delaware River. Investment and trade expansion led the
States General, which was the government of the Netherlands, to establish the West India
Company. The goal of the company was to encourage trade and settlement. At first it held a
monopoly in the trade of fur but came to the eventual realization that giving up this monopoly
might serve to be more beneficial. Following the trade in fur, there was further growth in trading
tobacco and eventually food and even slaves. Growth through trade led to the development of a
largely merchant-based population. All these developments led to New Amsterdam (modern-day
New York) to be a busy, vibrant, populated city that was a center of commerce. When the
English eventually took control of this territory, very little changed in New Amsterdam. These
occurrences that made New Amsterdam such a Centre of commerce, laid the foundation for
modern-day New York. Today New York is still a city that is known for its busy streets buzzing
with the energy of a population constantly on the go. 
 
How do you think the establishment of New Amsterdam as a hub of commerce in the
17th century affect the role of New York played during the American Revolution?
How did the occurrences in New Amsterdam help shape New York into what is today?