What was New York City before?

Answer 1

There wasn't one. The five boroughs weren't consolidated into New York City until 1898. The Broncks (named after the Bronck family: it's plural because they are a family of more than one Bronck: The Broncks later got a respelling and became The Bronx), and Staten Island were all different cities of New York State. Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn belonged to the city of Brooklyn for a certain time until their consolidation into New York City where only then were they separated into boroughs / different counties. New York City has always been the capital of New York until Albany was chosen for it.

Kingston was the capital in 1777 and the first Capital of New York. The British burned it after their defeat at Saratoga. The Capital was then re-established at Albany in 1779.

Answer 2

Before it was a U.S. state, New York was one of the original 13 North American colonies of England/Great Britain.

Before that, it was home to two main Native American tribes, the Algonquins and the Iroquois.

Answer 3

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam.

Why they changed it I can't say,

people just liked it better that way.

Answer 4

It was originally called New Amsterdam which came from the Dutch in 1433. I may not have the year right, that is just a guess on my part! I hope this helps you out!

Answer 5

a place where indians lived and then americans came and said "we are taking your land" and took it and made it what it is today

Answer 6

It was uncharted land owned by Indians.

Answer 7

New Amsterdam