Peter Minuit

Picture of Peter Minuit

Picture of Peter Minuit

This article on  the biography and life of Peter Minuit provides facts and information about:

  • Who was Peter Minuit?
  • What was his involvement in the early colonization of America?
  • Life and Biography of Peter Minuit
  • Interesting facts and fast information about Peter Minuit
  • The Dutch colonist who bought Manhattan from the Native Americans
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The colonization of America and facts about the life of Peter Minuit, the Protestant leader of the New York Colony

Short Biography about Peter Minuit
Peter Minuit (1580-1638) was the Dutch colonist who bought Manhattan from the Native Americans for various trinkets and goods, which in the 19th century, were estimated to be worth the equivalent of $24 . Peter Minuit was famous as the Director of the Dutch colony of New Netherland (1626 - 1633) and founded the Swedish colony of New Sweden in 1638. He was the Protestant leader of the New York Colony. This article contains a short biography and fast facts and information about the early American colonist, Peter Minuit. Who was Peter Minuit and why was he famous? 

Facts about Peter Minuit

Peter Minuit Fact 1Peter Minuit was famous as the Protestant leader of the New York Colony. He is also referred to as Peter Minuet, Pieter Minuit and Pierre Minuit
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 2When was Peter Minuit born? He was born in 1580 - there are no records of the exact date
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 3Where was Peter Minuit born? He was born in Wesel, in Germany
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 4His family fled from Germany to the Netherlands to escape religious persecution from Catholics
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 5On August 20, 1615 he married Gertrud Raetz
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 6Peter Minuit was a merchant and undertook several journeys to East India and Brazil gaining an excellent reputation as a trader and an honest man.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 7Following news of the explorations of Henry Hudson a man named Hendrik Christiansen was in charge of the first Dutch expedition to the New World in 1614, on behalf of the Dutch West Indian Company. Hendrik Christiansen was killed by Native Indians and the Dutch needed a replacement.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 8In 1625 the Dutch West Indian Company appointed Peter Minuit as director-general of New Netherland.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 9He traveled to the New World under the Dutch West India Company in 1625 with two ships full of colonists.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 10Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan Island from Native Americans and a large settlement was established. The major port on Manhattan was named New Amsterdam which would later be changed to New York.
 
 

Facts about Peter Minuit
of the New York Colony

Facts about Peter Minuit
The following facts about Peter Minuit provide interesting facts and an overview and description of the life and times and his involvement in the early colonization of America and the Dutch New York Colony and the Swedish Colony.

Facts about Peter Minuit

Peter Minuit Fact 11All land claims of the Dutch were settled under the leadership of Minuit. The colonists lived in peace with the Red Indians and the colony was successful
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 121631 Peter Minuit was temporarily suspended from his post. Settlers were independently trading furs rather than working for the Dutch West Indian Company. He left New Netherlands in August 1632 returning to Amsterdam to report to his superiors.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 13The chamber court of justice in Amsterdam decided that Minuit had been negligent and his position with the Dutch West Indian Company was terminated.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 14In 1638 the Swedish government engaged Peter Minuit under the Swedish West India Company to establish a colony in America. 50 colonists established a small settlement in Delaware Bay. They named the town Christina in honor of the queen of Sweden.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 15He did not conquer the land by force but bought it legally, as he had done before.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 16The colony "New Sueda" was successful and grew continuously. Peter Minuit did not repeat his pervious mistakes and ensured that furs were regularly delivered to Stockholm.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 17He went on a trading mission to the in the Caribbean and during the voyage there was a tropical storm and he died at sea on August 05, 1638
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 18Conflicts developed between the colonies established at New Netherland and New Sweden.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 19In August 1655 the governor of New Netherlands, Peter Stuyvesant, attacked New Sweden with his army and conquered it.
 
 
Peter Minuit Fact 20In 1657 both colonies fell to England.
 
 

Facts about Peter Minuit
of the New York Colony

Peter Minuit

The life and biography of Peter Minuit is presented in a short, easy fact file format that is highly suitable for kids. The facts about  are a fast and accurate way to gain a good understanding of the life of this famous man who played a major role in the early colonization of America. The facts include the major events in the life of Peter Minuit together with important dates and details of the colony.

The Peter Minuit

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