The Middle Colonies NY, NJ, PA, DE

New Netherlands & New Sweden New Netherland settled by Dutch West India Co. 1623-24 Fur trade Buy Manhattan Island from Indians Peter Stuyvesant New Amsterdam – a “company town” Aristocratic, diverse Wall Street – built for Indian defense New Sweden falls to Stuyvesant – absorbed by Dutch into New Netherland Late 16th cent., Dutch rebelled against Catholic Spain & with help of protestant England, won their independence. 17th century is golden age in Dutch history – Rembrandt, etc. Eventually challenges England’s commercial/naval power – 3 wars. Colonial power – much in East Indies --- Dutch East India Co. formed. Employs Henry Hudson to explore Hudson River area 1609. Dutch West India Company (Caribbean, Africa, Brazil) settled New Netherland in 1623 on a permanent basis for fur trade. New Amsterdam – company town. No religious toleration ,free speech, democracy. Harsh, despotic governors – much cruelty (esp. to Quakers). Very cosmopolitan – many cultures, languages. Incompetent leadership. Indians massacred colonists consistently (in retaliation for Dutch cruelties). Wall built on Manhattan Island as protection – Wall Street. Swedes invade on Dutch areas from 1638 to 1655 – Delaware River. Dutch send Stuyvesant – “Father Wooden Leg” to attack. New Sweden falls / absorbed into New Netherland.

New York Manors & Land Grants Patroonships: Land granted to promoters who agreed to settle 50 people.

Duke of York Peter Stuyvesant English see Dutch as intruders 1664, Charles II grants area to brother, Duke of York … and Stuyvesant surrenders easily New Amsterdam renamed New York Dutch influence survived though: Autocratic, aristocratic Harlem, Brooklyn Easter eggs, Santa Claus, bowling, skating, sleighing, golf Stuyvesant’s wooden leg: The last director general of New Netherland lost his right leg before he came to New Amsterdam. Working for the Dutch West India Company in 1644, Stuyvesant was leading an assault on a Spanish fort in the Caribbean when a cannonball hit his lower right leg. Stuyvesant was rather authoritarian with his subjects and he is frequently depicted as despotic. He refused to share power with the citizens of the new colony of New Amsterdam. He also tried to control the Dutch Reformed Church and even banned some of its ministers from the colony. When alcohol consumption became a problem in the colony he tried to control it and regulate the sale of it. When other religious groups such as Jews, Lutherans and Quakers tried to establish houses of worship he banned them. He made no attempts to endear himself to the citizenry and to gain their support. The stand off between Stuyvesant and the citizens became so severe that the directors of DWI in Amsterdam even became involved in it. They forced Stuyvesant to modify his strict rules and regulations. So when the British Navy reached New Amsterdam in 1664, Stuyvesant's call to man the ramparts fell on deaf ears. The city surrendered to the British, who then proceeded to not only take over New Amsterdam but all of New Netherland which included all of NY and parts of New England and New Jersey.

“Religious Society of Friends” William Penn The “Holy Experiment” “Religious Society of Friends” The Quakers Quakers seen as offensive to authorities – religious and civil – in England. Refused to support Church of England with taxes. Congregated w/o a paid clergy – in a “simple” meetinghouse Spoke up themselves in meetings Kept their hats on in the presence of “betters” – would use no titles (only thee’s & thou’s) No oaths – officials still required oaths of no allegiance to Catholic church Refused military service Penn converted to Quakerism at age 16 – 1660. By 1681, wants to go to New World – religious freedom, profit, experiment with liberal ideas in government. Crown owed $ to his deceased father – Penn gets grant of land / “Penn’s Woodland” Penn advertised heavily for settlers – offered very liberal land policies. Why are the Quakers seen as so offensive by authorities? How did William Penn get the PA land grant? How did he encourage settlers to come?

Penn & Native Americans Why is PA seen as the most successful English colony? Fair treatment of Indians Bought land from Indians Amicable relations

Quaker Pennsylvania Philadelphia (“City of Brotherly Love”) well-planned out; becomes largest colonial city Representative assembly elected by landowners No tax-supported church / freedom of worship to all (except Catholics/Jews) No military defense established - pacifists No restrictions on immigration Anti-slavery – THE FIRST ABOLITIONISTS! DIVERSE MIX OF ETHNIC GROUPS Liberal/modern – but still some “blue laws” New Jersey – Proprietary colony, 1664 Delaware - 1610 New Jersey settled in 1664 – proprietary colony – land grants from Duke of York. Many New Englanders moved here. Originally an East and West Jersey (West was largely Quaker). Combined in 1702 – Royal colony Delaware – named after De La Warr (originally VA, 1610) Remains under Gov. of PA William Penn only in PA for 4 years. Became too friendly with James II – Catholic King Arrested 3 times for treason Put in debtor’s prison Paralytic stroke – dies full of sorrows.

Urban Population Growth 1650 - 1775 What’s the largest city?

Ethnic Groups English largest, followed by Germans & Scots-Irish

“The Middle Way” Lack of distinctive institution like Southern slavery or New England town meetings Not ruled by wealthy planters like South nor by the church like New England Characterized by diversity, religious tolerance Cash crops – grains; “Bread colonies” Ironworks – Pittsburgh area Settlement of interior, not just coastal area - river access to back country for trade Internal Conflicts: Leisler’s Rebellion – NY, 1689 anti-BR sentiment; what happened? John Peter Zenger’s trial*** – NY, 1734 Freedom of the press Truth is absolute defense to libel (contrary to BR law) Paxton Boy’s uprising – PA, 1764 Another east-west conflict like Bacon’s! Jacob Leisler’s Rebellion – 1689 Disgruntled merchant who just seized government control. Overthrown in less than 2 years and hanged. Trial of John Peter Zenger – 1734 Royal Governor claimed back salary owed to him. Royal chief justice opposed it. Governor fired him & judge set up newspaper & hired Zenger as editor – articles attacking governor. Zenger charged with libel. Case decided in favor of freedom of press – people/papers do have right to criticize rulers. Truth is defense to libel – contrary to English law. Paxton Boys – Led by Scots-Irish. Eastern indifference to western land conflicts with Indians. Paxton Boys murdered Indians and then marched on capital….about to trash Philly but finally resolved by Franklin.