Question:

why was it so easy for the England to take control of new Amsterdam?

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Answers:

March 24, 2009

Posted by charles

( 1 ratings )

I found this on the Wikipedia page for New Amsterdam:

On August 27, 1664, in a surprise incursion when England and the Dutch Republic were at peace, four English frigates sailed in New Amsterdam's harbor and demanded New Netherland's surrender, whereupon New Netherland was provisionally ceded by director-general Peter Stuyvesant.

So I gather that the Dutch were not expecting England to take New Amsterdam with force as they were supposed to be at peace with each other. Subsequently the Dutch didn't make a big deal about it and forfeited New Amsterdam (later renamed New York) in exchange for some other territories they really wanted. The English wanted to control New Amsterdam because it was the route through to the colonies south and west.

Hope that helps.