How Dutch settlers got their start in the New York Harbor
Briefly

In Russell Shorto's "Taking Manhattan," he explores the early history of New York, particularly focusing on the Dutch colony of New Netherland founded in 1624. He discusses the significant transition of power from the Dutch to the English, highlighting the negotiations led by Peter Stuyvesant and Richard Nicolls. Shorto emphasizes the Dutch colonial aims, their relationships with Native American tribes, and how multicultural New Amsterdam was almost 400 years ago, offering insights into the commercial aspirations and cultural legacies that have shaped modern New York.
The Dutch settlers at Fort Amsterdam aimed to create a thriving colony, yet faced challenges in understanding Native American concepts of land ownership.
Seattle's burgeoning cultural diversity mirrors New Amsterdam's blend of cultures, emphasizing the historical significance of early Dutch multiculturalism in shaping the modern identity.
Read at City & State NY
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