Peter Stuyvesant
Peter Stuyvesant
Peter Stuyvesant was born in 1610 in Scherpenzeel, Friesland. His dad was a a minister which caused Stuyvesant to be fairly religious throughout his life. Stuyvesant went to the University of Franeker but was expelled for unknown reasons. When the Dutch West Indies company was formed Stuyvesant quickly signed up for the company's exploration attempts. At first he did simple jobs for them such as going over to Brazil to work. Eventually he gained more power in the company and became the director of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao otherwise known as the ABC islands. During his time in South America he lost a leg in a battle with the Portuguese. This later led to people calling him Peg Leg Stuyvesant.
On October 5, 1645 Stuyvesant volunteered to govern the New Netherlands colony for the Dutch West Indies company. He renamed the colony to New Amsterdam and increased safety regulations. Some of these safety regulations included hiring fire wardens and requiring colonists to have their chimneys inspected. One of his most controversial regulations was that he required colonists to observe the Sabbath. This was controversial because New Amsterdam was home to many different religious groups. This regulation did not help him win public approval. Forcing colonists to observe the Sabbath and other such regulations were a contributing factor when the colonists decided not to help him defend the colony against the British. Since the colonists wouldn't help him defeat the British he was forced to give up New Amsterdam to England. Many people today say that he is the reason why the Dutch no longer have colonies in America today. Despite this fact he helped increase the colonies population from 2,000 - 8,0000 people under his reign.
After Stuyvesant was forced to give up the colony he went back to the Netherlands. Eventually he returned to the colony and bought a farm in Bowery. Stuyvesant spent the remainder of his days on his farm. Eventually he passed away in August,1672 at age 62.
On October 5, 1645 Stuyvesant volunteered to govern the New Netherlands colony for the Dutch West Indies company. He renamed the colony to New Amsterdam and increased safety regulations. Some of these safety regulations included hiring fire wardens and requiring colonists to have their chimneys inspected. One of his most controversial regulations was that he required colonists to observe the Sabbath. This was controversial because New Amsterdam was home to many different religious groups. This regulation did not help him win public approval. Forcing colonists to observe the Sabbath and other such regulations were a contributing factor when the colonists decided not to help him defend the colony against the British. Since the colonists wouldn't help him defeat the British he was forced to give up New Amsterdam to England. Many people today say that he is the reason why the Dutch no longer have colonies in America today. Despite this fact he helped increase the colonies population from 2,000 - 8,0000 people under his reign.
After Stuyvesant was forced to give up the colony he went back to the Netherlands. Eventually he returned to the colony and bought a farm in Bowery. Stuyvesant spent the remainder of his days on his farm. Eventually he passed away in August,1672 at age 62.