How New York Influences the Rest of the US

New York was the first American Colony built primarily for commerce. While other east coast colonies were built by pilgrims hoping for a new life of freedom, New York was settled first by businessmen who were seeking their fortune in the New World. It was no mere coincidence that the area was chosen for the location of the first financial institutions and newspapers of the young United States.

The commercial influence has remained the epicenter of influence for the rest of the country to this day. Twenty-six New York merchants formed the New York Stock Exchange located on Wall Street in May of 1792, trying to regulate the securities trade and eliminate the competition. Wall Street has been manipulating the purse strings of the country since its founding day. The first newspaper, the New York Gazette, appeared in 1725, bringing old news from Europe. By the 19th century, over 130 newspapers sprang up and expanded the news to fashions, entertainment and stories written by some of the most famous 19th century authors of America. Opera houses and theaters began to appear in New York to entertain the wealthy. America has continued to look to New York for the latest world news in finances, entertainment and fashion. It is the first to accept and dominate new avenues of the media such as radio and television. New York has been the home of many fashion designers, due to the close proximity to the news media.

Because New York has been the epicenter of commerce since before the Declaration of Independence was written, the rest of the country has continued to look to Wall Street for the newest development in commerce and trade. They watch the New York fashion designers for the latest fashion, and to their television studios for the newest rage in entertainment.