Final answer:
In 1641, the Dutch were focused on establishing their New Netherland colony, led by the Dutch West India Company. Peter Stuyvesant was the Director-General who saw the colony through expansion but ultimately surrendered to English forces in 1664, leading to the colony being renamed New York after the English peace treaty of 1667.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1641, the Dutch were focused on consolidating their presence in the Americas, including the establishment and development of New Netherland. The Dutch West India Company (DWIC) played a significant role in this period through colonization and trade, especially fur trading in New Netherland. Detailing the events that led to New Amsterdam's surrender to the English in 1664, Dutch Director-General Peter Stuyvesant, facing the threat of an English attack and recognizing the vulnerabilities in his city's defenses and provision, ultimately surrendered the settlement. The peace treaty of 1667 formalized the transfer of power from Dutch to English hands, and New Netherland was renamed New York. During Peter Stuyvesant's tenure as Director-General, New Amsterdam saw significant development, expansion to Long Island, and control taken over New Sweden. Furthermore, Stuyvesant was responsible for defensive measures, such as building a protective wall. Yet in 1664, the English arrived and conquered the under-prepared Dutch, leading to peaceful surrender terms which allowed the Dutch citizens to retain property rights, religious freedom, and their own legal customs. Despite a brief reoccupation during the Third Anglo-Dutch War, the English ultimately retained control after peace was established between the two nations.