The first European explorer in the history of New York City was the Italian Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524, but the formation of the first European settlement, called New Amsterdam, began in 1608 when Dutch colonials started purchasing the Manhattan Island that served as a trading post.
When did New Amsterdam become New York?
In August 1664, New Amsterdam’s name was changed to New York.
Why did they change New Amsterdam to New York?
Following its capture in 1664, the British decided to change New Amsterdam’s name to New York in honor of the Duke of York that organized the entire mission.
Why did the Dutch buy New Amsterdam?
The Dutch bought New Amsterdam to build a fort that would allow them to protect the commercial areas and their own fur cargoes against the British.
How much did the Dutch pay for lower Manhattan?
Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan in 1916 for “60 guilders worth of trade” or $24. The figure of 60 guilders was converted in 1846 by the New York historian John Romeyn Brodhead.
Why did the Dutch sell New York?
The Dutch did not sell New Amsterdam but traded it with the British in exchange for Surinam in South America and Run Island in the East Indies (modern Indonesia). These islands were the only place in the world where they could grow nutmeg, which was an extremely rare and valuable spice at that time.
