<P> The colony was conceived as a private business venture to exploit the North American fur trade . During its first decades, New Netherland was settled rather slowly, partially as a result of policy mismanagement by the Dutch West India Company (WIC) and partially as a result of conflicts with Native Americans . The settlement of New Sweden encroached on its southern flank, while its northern border was re-drawn to accommodate an expanding New England . During the 1650s, the colony experienced dramatic growth and became a major port for trade in the North Atlantic . The surrender of Fort Amsterdam to England in 1664 was formalized in 1667, contributing to the Second Anglo--Dutch War . In 1673, the Dutch re-took the area but relinquished it under the Second Treaty of Westminster ending the Third Anglo - Dutch War the next year . </P> <P> The inhabitants of New Netherland were Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans, the last chiefly imported as enslaved laborers . By 1664, at the time of transfer to England, the colony had an estimated population of between 7,000 and 8,000 people, half of whom were not of Dutch descent . </P> <P> Descendants of the original settlers played a prominent role in colonial America . For two centuries, New Netherland Dutch culture characterized the region (today's Capital District around Albany, the Hudson Valley, western Long Island, northeastern New Jersey, and New York City). </P> <P> During the 17th century, Europe was undergoing expansive social, cultural, and economic growth, known as the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands . Nations vied for domination of lucrative trade routes around the globe, particularly those to Asia . Simultaneously, philosophical and theological conflicts were manifested in military battles across the continent . The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands had become a home to many intellectuals, international businessmen, and religious refugees . In the Americas, the English had a settlement at Jamestown, the French had small settlements at Port Royal and Quebec, and the Spanish were developing colonies to exploit trade in South America and the Caribbean . </P>

How did global commerce affect events in new netherland