NYC Tour Guide Practice Test

The correct answer is Peter Stuyvesant. He served as the last director-general of the Dutch colony of New Netherland from 1647 to 1664. Stuyvesant's leadership was marked by a series of restrictive policies, particularly regarding the settlement of different religious groups. He is notably remembered for his efforts to limit the influx of Jews into the colony. He implemented a policy that demanded passports for any Jewish settlers, which effectively barred them from settling in New Amsterdam, the capital of New Netherland. This discriminatory practice reflected the religious intolerance prevalent at the time and was indicative of Stuyvesant’s preference for a homogeneously Dutch Reformed community.

Stuyvesant’s reputation is often colored by these restrictions, and his actions had long-standing implications for the diversity of the region. This context is crucial for understanding the early social dynamics of what would eventually become New York City, making his actions historically significant. The other names mentioned do not relate to this specific period or issue regarding settlement restrictions made by Stuyvesant.