Final answer:
The most influential country in the development of New York was England, having taken control from the Dutch in 1664 and renaming the city. The English influenced the political and economic systems of New York, and the city's strategic geographical location contributed to its growth into a global financial center and major port.
Step-by-step explanation:
The country most influential in the development of New York was England. This influence began after the English conquest of the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam in 1664 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Following the takeover, the city and surrounding areas were renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York, brother of King James of England. The English modified the Dutch patroonship system to grant large estates to specific families like the Livingstons, further entrenching a political and economic structure in the Hudson River Valley. Over the years, this system and the diversity of its settlers, including Dutch, English, French Huguenots, Jews, and various Christian denominations along with a large population of enslaved people, contributed significantly to the social and economic fabric of New York City. The establishment of international finance systems similar to the City of London also had a lasting impact on New York's growth into a global financial center.
Moreover, geographical factors played a crucial role in New York's development. As the middle colonies, including New York, became the most diverse and fastest-growing region in North America, New York City capitalized on its strategic location, becoming a primary port for goods entering the Midwest. By the mid-1850s, the snowball effect of increased port activity helped make New York City one of the largest cities in the world for a time.