Slavery and NYC
NYC and the American Revolution
The Erie Canal
Icebreaker Questions
Guess the Subway Line
100

True or false: NYC never participated in slavery

False

100

Who won the Battle of Brooklyn?

The British (although American troops successfully retreated)

100

Chloe was interested in the fact that the Erie Canal allows you to swim from NYC to ___

Detroit

100

Today's icebreaker: who are you _____ for today?

Thankful for, appreciative of

100
  • Hard: This line runs the longest route in the entire system, spanning from the northernmost part of Manhattan to the far reaches of Queens.
  • Medium: It’s known for its express service, famously mentioned in a jazz classic by Duke Ellington.
  • Easy: If you’re headed to JFK Airport, you might just take this train to Howard Beach.

A train

200

True or false: The British introduced slavery to NYC, as the Dutch did not practice slavery

False

200

What did you call people who were loyal to the new U.S. government vs. those who were loyal to the British

Patriots vs. Loyalists or Tories

200

The Erie Canal connects which two bodies of water?

The Hudson River and Lake Erie

200

Last class's icebreaker: What's your favorite thing about ____ ?

Winter

200
  • Hard: It was the first NYC subway line to fully use CBTC (modern automated signaling).
  • Medium: It connects two major hipster neighborhoods, one in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan.
  • Easy: When it was partially shut down in 2019-2020, many commuters from Williamsburg were panicked.

The L train

300

In the early 1700s, what percentage of New Yorkers were enslaved Africans?

About 20%
300

A statue was famously torn down in the Bowling Green during the American Revolution. Who was the statue of?

King George III of England

300

How deep was the Erie Canal originally?

4 feet

300

Responses to this icebreaker included blimps and submarines

What's your favorite form of transportation

300
  • Hard: This line runs entirely local, stopping at every station from the Bronx to the tip of Manhattan.
  • Medium: The original subway line in 1904 included part of this train’s current route.
  • Easy: If you’re trying to reach Columbia University, you’ll probably take this train.

The 1 train

400

What eventually happened to the 400ish bodies of enslaved Africans that were dug up at the African Burial Ground

They were re-interred on the site of the museum.

400

Where were patriot prisoners of war brutally detained during the Revolution?

Prison ships

400

Which New York governor was instrumental in the building of the Erie Canal?

Dewitt Clinton

400

This icebreaker prompted Mr. Potter to generate an image of mac and cheese a la mode

What's your favorite Thanksgiving food?

400
  1. Hard: It’s the only major subway line in NYC that never enters Manhattan.
  2. Medium: This train connects Brooklyn and Queens directly, making it crucial for outer-borough travel.
  3. Easy: People joke that waiting for this train feels like forever because it doesn’t run as frequently as others.


The G train

500

Numerous enslaved people were executed after being blamed for what event in 1741?

A series of fires
500

Where was George Washington sworn in as president?

Federal Hall on Wall Street

500

How long did it take to build the Erie Canal?

8 years

500
This icebreaker questions prompted Anna to say that she'd like to get back into reading

What's a hobby you'd like to get into but don't currently do?

500
  • Hard: This line was extended in 2017 as part of a long-awaited subway expansion project.
  • Medium: It runs over the Manhattan Bridge, giving riders a great view of the skyline.
  • Easy: If you want to get to Coney Island, this train can take you straight to the boardwalk.

The Q train

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