Holland sent colonists to America to settle the land discovered by Henry Hudson. The colony was called New Netherland.
New Netherland was a rich colony. In 1664 Holland and England were at war. The English sent ships to New Netherland and wanted to take over the colony.
The captain of the English ships sent a letter to Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Netherland. He told Stuyvesant he must surrender.
Stuyvesant tore up the letter and refused to surrender.
But the people disliked Stuyvesant. They had him surrender before the British even fired a shot. The colony became ruled by the British.
The British changed the name of New Netherland to New York. They changed the name of New Amsterdam to New York City.
