A Divided City: Revolutionary-Era New York and the Politics of Polarization

New York City was one of the most politically divided places in Revolutionary-era America. Decisions to join the rebellion or support the British Crown split families and friendships, turning neighbors against one another in a conflict that reshaped the city. MSNBC journalist Antonia Hylton is joined by Peter-Christian Aigner, director of the Gotham Center and co-director of The Occupied City: New York and the American Revolution, Christina Greer, professor at Fordham University, and Mike Duncan, creator and host of Revolutions Podcast, for a discussion exploring how allegiance was shaped not only by political principle, but also by social class, commerce, rivalry, ethnicity, and the demands of survival. Drawing parallels to contemporary New York, the program considers how economic inequality and debates over power, opportunity, and leadership continue to shape competing visions of the city’s identity and future. 

This program is part of the Revolutionary New York: Then and Now Series. For more programs in this series click here. 

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.