Great Fire of New York (1776): Difference between revisions

The [[American Revolutionary War]] began in April 1775. The city of New York was already an important center of business but had not yet become a sprawling metropolis. It occupied only the lower portion of the island of [[Manhattan]] and had a population of approximately 25,000.<ref>Schecter, p. 64</ref> Before the war began, the [[Province of New York]] was politically divided, with active [[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriot]] organizations and a colonial assembly that was strongly [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]].<ref>Schecter, pp. 50–51</ref> After the [[battlesBattles of Lexington and Concord]], Patriots seized control of the city and began arresting and expelling Loyalists.<ref>Schecter, pp. 52–53</ref>