History of New York City

History of New York City

Abstract

The motive of this study is to evaluate the arguments of Russell Shorto in his book 'The Island at the center of the world', and to lime light the history of New York City during the Dutch period. Russell argued that New York City is what we know it today, because of the explorations held in the Dutch period. Further, this piece of study discusses the important characters in the history of New York City such as Henry Hudson, Adrien Van der Douck, and Peter Stuyvesant. In the end, a conclusion is drawn on the basis of Russell Shorto's thesis that he gave in “The Island at the center of the world", that whether he was correct in his argument or not.

Introduction

The prime focus of Russell Shorto's “The island at the center of the world” is based on the argument that the Dutch colony of Manhattan, by accepting the multi-ethnic population, transplanting the religious tolerance, and the promotion of free trade, were the factors that formed the New York City and basis of American culture. He is true is his arguments and following discussions prove his points.

This argument got strong support in Russell Shorto's book “The Island at the center of the world”. According to Russell Shorto, the Dutch Republic was one of the most developing nations, and culturally diverse society in Europe, in the 1600s. It was the Dutch Republic's policy of tolerance that made the Netherlands of that time a heaven for everyone across Europe. Moreover, the colony based on Manhattan Island also had the same features openness, tolerance, and free trade that existed in the home country. All those features contributed in making the New York City as it is known around the world today. How all that happened, is what Russell's book is about.

Discussion

The history of the City of New York is a multi-centuries and begins long before the settlers arrived in what is now Manhattan, with the occupation by Native American populations. The negotiations leading New York to its current configuration, a division into five boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island, only go back to the very end of the nineteenth century. Before this consolidation, the city that has countless crises, was the scene of various conflicts, but still managed to win progressively. More importantly, New York City constitutes today the largest city in the United States and one of the largest and most dynamic cities in the world, as well as, a leading policy center and world capital of finance and the stock market.

New York City's character set during the Dutch period

An Advantageous location

The main attraction of the New York area for explorers is its exceptional location of a geographic perspective. Indeed, the maritime area was bounded by the islands and mainland constituting the bay of New York, in a separate Upper New York Bay and Lower New York Bay, offers not only access to the islands at various locations in the Bay, but ...