Is HAMILTON FACT or FICTION?

[@michelasmithh]

The point of “Burn” (and “Room Where it Happens”) was literally to tell the audience that we don’t know how Eliza reacted, she literally states that she doesn’t want the history books to know how she reacted.

[@jonoliahjohn6800]

Also, if you noticed, the blue lighting throughout the play is used to represent things done in the dark/shady shit. That entire scene was in blue lighting, giving the audience the impression that what they were seeing was pure speculation which matches the lyrics of the song perfectly.

[@deezxc]

Yes. It’s also one of the few times only one character was on stage for an entire number. No dialogue, no company, no witnesses.

[@monkeyflower3851]

I didn't watch it thinking it would be entirely historically accurate. Still, there were several times watching it when I said to myself, "wait, did that really happen?", and I'd hit pause, google it, and go, "huh, it really did." I don't think anyone should use Hamilton as a substitute for studying history, but I think most people would learn something by watching it.

[@Angel-nh5jm]

right, i think the fact that it will have people losing themselves in wikipedia articles about the revolutionary war and important history is a fantastic thing. and then at the same time be looking up biggie smalls and hip hop history. i think hamilton makes all of us smarter and brings us together too.

[@yay7707]

@@Angel-nh5jm I actually research everything abt Alex becuz of hamilton If lin didnt created this muscial, I wouldnt even know he existed

[@vorhese]

I think the best things is it inspires people to want to learn more.

[@monicahope3615]

Exactly. I paused it at the part where C.Jackson is singing One Last Time. A.Ham and he are reciting words together and I had a feeling that what they were saying were real words. So I found Washington's farewell address. Man, that thing is LONG! But I found the words, toward the end of the address, and Chris and Lin skip over a few lines, but they are speaking Washington's exact words. Brilliant!

[@daddsyprincess07]

If anything after watching the movie it got me more interested in history than I already am

[@keke9795]

Honestly I don’t care if Hamilton is wrong. It’s not just the history I like about it. It’s the people. It’s the music. It’s the choreography. It’s the time and effort put in to make a musical that so many people like. Just let people like Hamilton of they want. And if you don’t like Hamilton here’s an easy solution DONT WATCH IT! Easy.

[@beverlyflanigan4007]

I agree!!! Just enjoy it or don't watch ..easy decision.

[@keke9795]

Thank you!

[@Postinaway]

Another brilliant concept of Miranda's was to make the cast color and even gender blind. That helps with the "Dead White European Male" complaint we have heard since the 60s about teaching about the Founders. This heritage belongs to all Americans -- even those whose ancestors did not get the same benefits as others of their era because of being in bondage, being in a different country, being Native, or being female.

[@maddison4206]

And I'm australian, so i don't even need to know the depths of it, but it helps with the basics- an outline of Hamilton's life and his friends and enemies things, which is all I really need to know for my life. Regardless, its an amazing musical that I love for the music, not the informatiob

[@maddison4206]

Information*

[@emmanueljusino6217]

Bonus fact: they never had a rap battle.

[@kaylahatungulu4984]

No! Really?! I can't believe it.

[@genevieve1779]

Emmanuel Jusino wait what?! my whole life’s a lieeeee D:

[@mayastewart1452]

i refuse to believe history happened without singing and rapping.

[@FlicksAndTheCity]

Now, that's just plain crazy talk, Emmanuel! I'm afraid I'm gonna have to say no to this so-called fact, thank you very much. 😉

[@peachstar5789]

Right and next your gonna tell me that Aaron Burr, George Washington Angelica Schuyler, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, (etc) were actually white

[@larissaferreira5554]

lmao I’m pretty sure we all know the show isnt completely factually based on history, Lin said it too. It is not a source that is historically correct for the most part, its a show that adapted parts of Hamilton's life into musical

[@whitaker_]

A disturbing amount of folks believe the line that Hamilton was anti-slavery. Its true he wrote about it's evils before and during the revolution but that's not the end of it. Jefferson did the same but we don't call him an abolitionist. They wrote about it as though it was an evil forced on them by the crown and claimed it was something that would be done away with. But once King George was dealt with they both shut the fuck up about it and reaped the benefits. It was all just posturing and propaganda. The Schuyler family was the 3 largest holder of slaves in the country. Even if Hamilton wasn't a direct owner of slaves they funded his upper class lifestyle.

[@oliverwalker7641]

Top 7 ways Hamilton ignored history: No.1: The founding fathers did not actually rap about their lives

[@lyn4473]

Oliver Walker how disrespectful of them

[@ashleypham6742]

i didn’t look to hamilton to learn about history. my first song was satisfied. as I got more into the musical, it taught me and then I went and did my research. this musical caused me to want to learn more about history, but I know it wasn’t 100% accurate lmao

[@terra_the_nightingale135]

Oliver Walker you’re telling me that Alexander Hamilton did NOT rap during his court proceedings?? For shame!

[@meganelizabeth4224]

Beetlejuice the musical is not the same as the movie Legally Blonde the musical is not the same as the movie Hamilton the musical doesn’t have to be completely historically accurate

[@bobbbbEE]

No one is saying that it has to be. But it is a story based on true history, so it's a good idea to point out which parts are fact and which are fiction.

[@waori]

That's a really weird line of reasoning. You don't think there's any distinction between a movies and history?

[@deven.ferrer]

perfectly said

[@emmamae9112]

bobbbbEE the book has historical corrections written in the margins. the musical is a work of historical fiction and is advertised as such

[@mistybenjamin9009]

Six isn't exactly accurate either. But it gives some truths, just like Hamilton.

[@itsTsar_]

It still taught me more than school though

[@Teletran35]

Read a book it's not that hard

[@itsTsar_]

Dan Wynne r/woooosh

[@phrenchphried]

Isn't that kind of the measure of a good piece of historical theatre? If it makes you want to learn more, it did its job.

[@Susan-jr3ld]

Sad but true. I felt the same thing. I'm educated reasonably and there was so much to the story that isn't explained in american history courses at the undergrad level. It's a shame. Makes me wonder how many other amazing stories were lost or painted over in history.

[@RockerH2526]

cameronjpg School is a jumping off point. It’s like saying all you ever want, you can get at Walmart! It covers the basics to sometimes you just need more and that is your responsibility.

[@kinleybritt6523]

sometimes ppl don’t realize that this show didn’t have a very large cast, and that they couldn’t pack in every character, when burr is lees second it’s for the reason stated in the video to show the upcoming conflict, and that burr was literally there with lines not everything is factual

[@giraffes86]

Not even just that musical of today i think can only be at max 3 hours long due to back in the 80s and before the were like 9+ hours for some so its hard to put all the fact in there.

[@kaatskillserenade]

If people want history lessons they should read books, not look to Broadway Musicals. You can make entertainment out of facts but we shouldn't expect entertainment to be entirely factual.

[@imanicheairs3874]

Straight facts thank you

[@bobbbbEE]

History is an extremely complicated topic to research because of the necessity of weeding out unnecessary information, but what people consider unnecessary is entirely subjective. That's how you can have one group of people who believe that the US has a terrible history of oppression and subjugation while others believe it is a history of liberation and freedom.

[@AuntBethanys]

bobbbbEE it can be both!

[@bobbbbEE]

@@AuntBethanys Often, history is too nuanced to be truly useful. As a result, people remove nuance to fit their own agenda. So you're right about that.

[@kkslider4975]

Very well said

[@EliSnyder8696]

Something I hope people realize while this is a historical musical, viewers and fans of Hamilton need to read the biography based on Hamilton and also do their own research as well. Because Theatre and musicals/plays within this is an art form and is entertainment which shouldn't be a factual source. Even Lin says to look into the history of Alexander and what he has done because he did do a lot within the beginning of the US.

[@sarcasticsoph]

YES!!! i agree fully, there is no way you should learn from musicals, they are meant for entertainment not info(thats what books are for)

[@ebethqueen7149]

His love for history and wanting to make it into somthing... Inspired many to look it up... The offended ones are offended because they see this as a direct offence. How? He dont know you.... He made a show that inspired kids to read into our history... Why we hating!?

[@Beehive222]

After watching Hamilton, I was inspired to know more about history.

[@Cookietheham]

Elijah Snyder I definitley agree with you. I think musicals like Hamilton are like entertainment based on history. But also just entertainment with little fun fact

[@littlemissmel88]

@@Beehive222 Same, it makes we want to learn the real history and see how much in the musical was true.

[@arpeggioblue]

3:58 that lack of concrete knowledge by historians is EXACTLY what one of the song’s central themes focuses on. “Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted when you broke her heart.”

[@RileyNoble]

"There were actually over twenty rules for dueling" Me: NUMBER SEVENTEEN THE SPREAD EAGLE

[@monicahope3615]

Yup - I looked that up and saw that there were actually 25 rules.

[@lederps]

W-was that a Chicago reference?

[@lanaisha]

Lol ahhh Chicago

[@FlicksAndTheCity]

😂 If this isn't a Chicago reference, please do not disabuse me. 😊

[@laylaRudd90]

Riley Noble this Chicago reference is some next level of genius... Steven hawking COULD NEVER!!! 👏🏼 😂

[@hardBoss]

Come to think of it, I'm starting to think there never was a Jack and Rose on the Titanic.

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

Ok, now that was very good. Wished I had said it

[@inactivecheckaboutpage411]

of course hamilton isn’t gonna have all the facts and some parts will be made up. lim-manuel miranda knows this. for example, the schyler sisters had brothers and james monroe was the one who confronted hamilton about james reynolds

[@user-de8ue5cs6s]

i think they were left out because those particular characters wouldn't be significant enough in the rest of the musical.

[@inactivecheckaboutpage411]

e†håμ må mhm

[@caitlyn2122]

me watching this at 2 am dying over lim

[@lizzietate4653]

@@caitlyn2122 HAHAHAHHAHA

[@monicahope3615]

@@user-de8ue5cs6s Yes, I saw an interview where Lin said though he mentions John Adams, and Adams had a big role as a founder, he wanted to stick with characters that were in Hamilton's life orbit for the longest time. He had to be judicious about who he included. Lin said if he wrote it as an opera, we would need to be in the theater for a day!

[@paigea3333]

I feel like all the changes he made really made the musical flow through and if lin had done it in a normal musical way the musical would have lasted 5‐6 hours, lin made the musical better by changing these things.

[@gingersnxpp3627]

Repeat after me: it's historical fiction.

[@mrscalpouzos]

It’s an artistic interpretation of historical events. Historical fiction is usually a fictional story in a historical setting.

[@sheilahart1267]

Repeat after me most history is fiction!

[@TheTradge]

@@sheilahart1267 On what grounds are you making that statement? Seems like a highly cynical perspective if you ask me...

[@Elphaboy]

@@sheilahart1267 I think it would be more fair to say Most history has been edited by the winner.

[@yuki_eerhs4591]

@@Elphaboy history is written by the victor.

[@larissamziegler]

Nothing to do with anything, but I chuckle anytime that painting of Hamilton pops up because his eyes look WILD as if someone edited them like he was high on shrooms

[@professionalnerd4055]

Same 😆

[@samdiener]

There are a number of additional historical divergences. In addition to exaggerating Hamilton’s abolitionism, the musical elided the monarchist ideas Hamilton proposed in his 6 hour speech at the Constitutional Convention. Miranda implies the outrage was a reaction to his impudence in talking for so long. More important was the outrage at his desire to create a dictator for life as President. By the way, as a history teacher, I yearn for at least one line about the content of the amazing Federalist Papers, in which Hamilton does voice opposition to his recently propounded anti republican principles. And in the musical’s championing of Hamilton’s financial system, wasn’t there room for a line questioning the power of Wall Street down the centuries? Secondly, the musical has a reputation for humanizing the characters, especially the “Founding Fathers,” and it does so beautifully for many of them. But the musical nearly deifies Washington in a way I found quite disconcerting. No mention of the war crimes ordered by Washington during the Sullivan Expedition here, for example. The musical even implies the battle of New York was lost because of retreating Continental Army soldiers instead of holding Washington responsible for forgetting to plug the gap in the Brooklyn hills. I’ll mention just one more issue. This one arose because Miranda followed Chernow’s biography so closely. The line “son of a whore” is repeated a few times in the musical, following Chernow’s depiction. Hamilton’s mother was jailed for this, but this was based solely on the claim of her abusive ex husband. I want to reiterate that I love the musical and am in awe of its lyrical dexterity, its musical variety, its audacious multi racial casting, its plausible psychological insights into Angelica and Eliza and Burr especially, its lampooning of monarchism (and abusive “love” songs!) in the character of King George, its raw emotional power, in particular in Act II, and its passionate evocation of the importance of historical ideas and actors. I think critiquing the musical can help us critically enjoy the show to an even greater extent. It’s another layer on a beautifully complex canvas.

[@growingupleilei42069]

this was written exactly how my english teachers would have wanted. that essay format was 😙👌 chefs kiss

[@registeredjademark]

> And in the musical’s championing of Hamilton’s financial system, wasn’t there room for a line questioning the power of Wall Street down the centuries I found most of Room Where It Happened to be a critique of exactly that. Right off, we have a nod to a line that means, to the audience, to be duplicitous: "Talk less. Smile more." Following that, Burr's lyrics are hardly supportive: "How the sausage gets made." "The pieces that are sacrificed in every game of chess." "Did Washington know about the dinner?" And then ending on the note that yeah, good job, you guys got the capital but we're still the powerhouse. I, too, would have adored more material from the Federalist Papers, though! So many great lines. Overall I agree with your response, but I was surprised that we got such different messages from Room, since that song seems to be the moment of a very dark turn in Hamilton's life, backed up by the lyrics and music, as well as his continued actions from that moment on.

[@heartstrings110]

Didn’t effect my enjoyment of the performance at all.

[@lb794]

I found it interesting that they just ignored Peggy's existence after she kept introducing herself so matter of factly... did she exist? Also the rest of Hamilton's kids got ignored. Philip mentions a he has a sister & then nothing about her is said. When I looked her up, she apparently went crazy after her brother died & they committed her to an asylum

[@thekrakenskrak4253]

Peggy didn’t survive past the events of the first act, and I assume Miranda didn’t explore Hamilton’s other children for the sake of pacing.

[@Error-gz3pp]

As a matter of fact, Peggy actually saved a baby(check her Wikipedia article for reference)

[@boohoo723]

Peggy died of illness the same year Philip did. Alexander was a good friend of hers and was actually the one at her side when she passed away, since he was there for business and she asked him to stay as she got sicker. These two facts are highlighted in different parts of the musical. Hamilton, during Helpless, says that Peggy "confided" in him, referencing their letters and her wish for him to be at her deathbed. When he gives Philip advice, he says that Eliza can't take "another" heartbreak, referencing that Peggy had died earlier that year. But since Peggy wasn't 'historically important' she just faded out of the musical.

[@wtfcaedes7643]

actually, when Eliza and Alex showed up too Phillips death, you may notice that they were already wearing black, that is because they came from Peggy's funeral.

[@JohnKerns91]

They acknowledge her passing in the song Take A Break with the pause between ''Eliza'' and ''The Schuyler Sisters''

[@eleanorneale8640]

Why are people getting so triggered by this video??.... Its not saying its a bad musical, just pointing out the historically inaccurate stuff in it

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

Agree,and agree again.

[@Carlos-wy4on]

I'll go ahead and say it, Hamilton is overrated. Don't get me wrong, it's really well done but I feel that many people say it's the best thing since sliced bread because their friends say so. The minute you criticize or god-forbid mention that it's not historically accurate people get triggered.

[@soggystrawberry2608]

Carlitos I agree on the last part, but I wouldn’t say it’s overrated. It’s lived so mush because of its diversity (which is quite uncommon in Broadway), songs, and choreograph. That is what makes it so loved is because Lin put everything into it. It was ground breaking especially after 6 years of work. I agree, some of the fandom is quite weird especially when somebody says that it isn’t historically accurate, and it isn’t that historically accurate. But Hamilton is a true piece of art that deserves the love it gets.

[@professionalnerd4055]

@@Carlos-wy4on Most of my friends haven't even heard Hamilton, and I still think it's the best thing since sliced bread 😆

[@allisonzhang8918]

And besides, do you think a person’s descendants would be “qualified” enough to represent their parents? If so, then you should know that Jefferson had a bunch of black descendants. Are you going to deny their right to tell the story of their parents as well? I mean, where do we even get this idea that white and black people are so inherently different they they simply couldn’t be present in each other’s story?

[@monicahope3615]

Say that!

[@elsat4702]

I think that most of the changes were good for the story, and most were not very important. Though these are all very important too when I watch Hamilton I will most likely remember these.

[@ixzbxy3071]

sad fact: hercules and lafayette had a twenty year age gap and never even met

[@elizathesimp]

Mulette shippers: *sad shipping noises*

[@cookiekaspbrak1893]

nOo

[@cookiekaspbrak1893]

Reinba And Solaris *sad noises*

[@indep_]

Wtf is with people shipping historical figures like what the hell

[@Wisegirl6521]

Indep people would ship anything. I even know people who ship paper and pen

[@ooferz3256]

but it's... historical fiction?... it's literally meant to not be 100% accurate? am I wrong?

[@alexs0s]

not that i have any issues w hamilton, but to quote someone else on this thread "It’s an artistic interpretation of historical events. Historical fiction is usually a fictional story in a historical setting"- its interpretation more than straight-up fiction :)

[@chloecca9238]

no, fiction means it’s not all fact. Historical fiction means it’s based on past events but not everything displayed may be true

[@elp790]

I mean he had to write this so if course things are gonna be wrong in a slight way

[@SakiBlablabla]

Nah you’re not ! People are just dumbing down by days it seams ! Or they are just bored of their lives so the found the most ridiculous things to be outraged about ! It’s sad ! Useless outrage that could be actually redirected towards fighting real social issues by taking concrete actions or find long term solutions to them ! Those humans have lost their survival instinct, or the struggle , in case people don’t get what survival instinct is ! The Struggle is the thing that made us the most intelligent species on earth , and put us on top of the food chains ! Which is unfortunate for any other species at this point ! We seam to be able of real change only when in a middle of an actual global calamity ! As soon as we get a little confortable, we get lasy first and then we go crazy , metaphorically eating each other up ! In other words , « 1st world problems » , Boring ! I personally prefer creating art instead of drama ! Maybe I am to old school 😂 !

[@linda-tada]

Ooferz 100% correct

[@JCB686]

Correct me if I’m wrong. But, I believe the only character from this play to propose legislation to outlaw slavery was Aaron Burr. He also proposed giving women the right to vote.

[@cumincalamity9867]

I didn't notice that actually. I can't remember where he might've said that.

[@giraffes86]

John laurens in real life did really fight against it to he grew up seeing as his father owned slaves he was never in the position to try and have it outlawed as he dead b4 he could move up the ranks and get in backing power through he did always remain vocal and told people it was wrong and even tried to free slaves from people by sneaking on to peoples land and help them. ( when i first heard the sound track i decided to research the people i didnt know i spent like 10 days on john. Also im currently in college working in getting a history degree as i would love to work in the smithsonian in dc so i love doing research. Excuse any spelling errors i suck at spelling) :) also yes despite some a few bad things burr did he did try and outlaw slavery and spoke up for women's right

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

Kind of like people want to make up their own history to fit their own political issues and views, and not what really happened.

[@littledrummergirl_19]

Thomas Jefferson actually proposed legislation to end slavery as well and was completely shut down by everyone who heard it. That’s referenced in Cabinet Battle #3 which is in the Hamilton Mixtape, and is actually factually accurate - historically Jefferson actually DID propose that legislation in real life, but nobody wants to bring that up 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

@@littledrummergirl_19 yes, he did. But he also said that all free black people must be sent back to Africa. Because no free black person could live in peace with free white people.

[@staceynainlab888]

This video presented the facts in a neutral way. It isn't saying it's bad that the musical makes changes to history, it is simply explaining what changes were made and why. Why are so many comments jumping down its throat for explaining the changes made? It isn't criticizing the musical, it could even be used to defend the changes. Why are so many comments acting like the video is shitting on the musical? The video isn't going "I demand accuracy", it's just going "hey, let's discuss the musical as an adaptation".

[@Imperialhsu]

If you are looking to learn history, you shouldn’t be looking to a musical.

[@amandadulenty9212]

If you're looking to be negative, go somewhere else

[@xoxo20000]

Are people really making a big deal out of this? The Titanic movie was not 100% accurate and yet people loved it. It's entertainment and people, especially night now want something that's uplifting and entertaining. Hamilton is that. Not everything needs to be overanalyzed and picked apart. Jeez there are some miserable people out there.

[@Elphaboy]

I totally hear what you're saying but the main difference between Titanic and Hamilton though, is that there's nothing inherently problematic about adding a fictitious narrative to the Titanic story. Lin essentially glorified a lot of really not so great men and various moments in our nations history and totally glossed over a lot of what was so controversial about AH himself so his show would work and audiences today wouldn't be put off by some TRUTHS about our history. Titanic isn't white washed at all the way Hamilton is. In general I really don't give a shit about this show, I feel like I'm the only person in the world who wasn't bit but the Hamilton bug I just wanted to point out that the changes in Titanic don't really cause any controversy or social issues, and ultimately as far as the main history about the ship itself there wasn't a whole lot made up out of the blue there either, with the exception Ismay wanting the ship to go faster. he never actually pushed for that at all James cameron just needed some kind of antagonist for the ship not just one for Rose. so with titanic you genuinely have a good fictional story woven into an actual historical event seamlessly, with Hamilton we have a really amazing concept that essentially presents itself as our history however it's told through a thin pair of rose colored glasses and sugar coats a lot of our past that really shouldn't be sugar coated. they aren't really comparable pieces

[@djgod5809]

K.

[@DrMadd]

Historical accuracy versus artistic expression will always be super interesting to me. Most of the time the differences between reality and adaptation can be justified with the simple "it makes a better story when told this way". I think what makes Hamilton so unique is that this is a story about a group of people whose portrayals in the media have become extremely controversial in recent years.

[@rachelmurray3434]

Hamilton was never meant to be entirely historically accurate. As Lin said, it was made to inspire, provoke thought, and that's what it did. It's beautifully put together and it offers us a glimpse into the past, not the full picture, but enough that we grasp the significance of what occurred. The facts aren't all there and some things are changed for dramatic effect but in the end the message is clear.

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

Also, remember those lyrics "Never gonna be president now!" Well, Hamilton was not born in America and that means he could never be President. So Jefferson never had anything to worry about.

[@crystalsmith2775]

If I’m remembering correctly, there was a clause in the constitution that stated that you had to be “born a citizen of the United States after the passing of this constitution.” Chernow’s biography makes a joke about it being Hamilton who had a say in that specific wording so he could still be president.

[@Reeeeeeeeeena89]

The clause is natural born US Citizen. There is speculation as to whether you must be born on US soil to be a natural born US Citizen. If your parents are US Citizens that automatically makes you one even if you aren't born here. It wasn't possible to be a natural-born US Citizen in the late 1700s/early 1800s, but instead, the first nine presidents were citizens at the adoption of the Constitution and all happened to be born on what is now US soil. However, we really don't know whether that was simply a coincidence.

[@liamzuck]

i mean America didn’t exist when Hamilton was born so it’s up for debate whether it would’ve mattered that he wasn’t born on us soil

[@smallgraydonguy]

Jon Sieira America isn’t a continent. It’s a country and no it didn’t exist

[@krystensheffield1901]

PGD Panda America IS a continent..... there are 2 of them-north and south. United States of America is a country. 🙄

[@averybisexualbookworm]

People know this is historical FICTION right? It's like watching the Tudors or another historical drama. It's not meant to be a biography.

[@EnchantressVRC]

So lemme get this straight Lin- Manuel Miranda Wrote the whole musical and invented the musical and he was Alexander Hamilton in his own play???

[@t.7865]

that's right

[@professionalnerd4055]

Yep! Man, the man is _non-stop_

[@rachaelocallaghan9150]

I admit, alot of Hamilton is historically incorrect. Many of those musical numbers never happened.

[@edwardkay288]

The time elapse is also in question.

[@neulalirasurette1468]

"many of those musical numbers never happened" implies that some of them actually happened. very good.

[@cookiemonsterproductions1413]

Neula lira surette because obviously why not would they randomly break out in song to narrate their own lives?

[@abigailabsity2246]

Lin even based it off of a popular biography. He knows the whole musical isn't legit enough to be even cited in a research paper. Don't ignore history. Of course. This is just a nice "well here's some of his life". But nice topic for a video. I will say, the musical made me research more about our founding fathers.

[@RockerH2526]

Abigail And that is how it should be! A movie, a tv show, a play, they are all jumping off points. Not the end spot. It’s like saying everything you need to know about history you learn in school. You have a responsibility to further your own education.

[@keira9522]

Remember Hamilton isn't a documental is a Broadway show that have information

[@nadiabaldrighi3994]

As a European (I'm Italian), we never got to go deeper in US history than saying the few major occurrences. Like the independence war, the North-South war, and some other things. So, actually, this musical gave me some more information about it. And in any case, I loved watching Hamilton! It is an amazing musical!

[@slytherinmusic2795]

Did you know that In burn when Eliza says you have ruined our lives she’s not just talking about her and Hamilton’s life she’s talking about her and Maria’s life

[@BogusBigusDingus]

I always do plus/minus work with criticism. The greatness of Hamilton is leagues beyond its negative criticism.

[@TT-ig7tg]

no, not really

[@minyrar7107]

Exactly!

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

It's just a musical, nothing more or less. It can not or will it change anything, past,pretend or future.

[@fenrir4060]

There is also some argument over whether Hamilton actually aimed at the sky. The dueling pistols were made to be badly aimed. They were Not supposed to hit the target but close to it. But because of the fact that they were still guns, and they were supposed to hit near their target it is speculated that Hamilton’s bullet witch was found lodged in a tree five feet behind Burr’s shoulder and a couple feet higher than him, was not in fact aimed at the sky. But I love the musical and I think That Lin did an amazing job. my dad Noticed and likes the fact that the whole musical is about Hamilton not throwing his shot away And then in the end he does again the musical is amazing and Lin is a genuine artist and genius.

[@Maisymous]

The movie footage is so wonderful in all these new videos

[@binkistu]

These videos are honestly breathtaking! I have watched Hamilton 5 times in 3 days since I became so interested in its history. (I'm not even from the US!) I think it's a work of art because of the choices Lin has made, but also UNBELIEVEBLY WELL written. I can't believe he was able to include so much of the actual story into such an amazing musical and have catchy and well written music on top of that. Thank you for your videos! You earned a new suscriptor.

[@rosykindbunny1313]

"My father has no sons." Phillip Schuyler Jr: Am I a joke to you?

[@Wisegirl6521]

Yes

[@MsCoolmom2]

#Hamiltonmusical has been inspiring and getting young people ( i.e. my 16yo daughter) to address race relations before it was thrown in our face with the tragic death of George Floyd...

[@DaSpringBunny]

#Hamiltonmusical is inspirational

[@andyjabez9780]

There's a lot of "compression" of time, which is understandable. For example, Hamilton's endorsement of Jefferson was in the election of 1800. The play makes it seem that the fateful duel was a reaction to that choice, but it actually occurred in 1804, after Hamilton *again* campaigned (vigorously) against Burr in an election for NY governor's race.

[@seromoli2550]

In that musical John Lauren’s and Lafayette literally take there ponytails down to become different characters xD

[@dataweaver]

“The Election of 1800” portrays Hamilton unwillingly being drawn into the election, with the implication that he's still mourning his son's death. Problem: his son died in 1801.

[@jeffmcarthur5617]

I'm personally very bothered by a lot of the inaccuracies, particularly those that paint Hamilton and Washington as heroes against slavery. BUT the fact that Lin Manuel Miranda tweeted what he did about criticism being valid makes him the man of the hour. I so very much respect the fact that he can take criticism in stride, and didn't get defensive or attack those who criticized. I have SO much respect for the man.

[@esppupsnkits4560]

To be fair, if I recall, Washington was against splitting slave families and mistreatment of slaves. So I have a feeling he wasn’t really a fan of slavery but saw it as a temporary necessary evil

[@Noah-ws8ho]

@@esppupsnkits4560 Something that Lafayette convinced him of. Lafayette was a prominent abolishionist, tried to get Washington to slowly transition all his slaves into free workers in continued correspondence, but only partially succeeded. He himself bought a number of slaves for the purpose of setting them free

[@esppupsnkits4560]

Noah ooooo, that’s actually very neat!

[@Frayste]

king George wasn’t throwing papers around while Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Madison, Aaron burr were singing.

[@-insertname-6803]

Reminder: this was supposed to be for us to remember Hamilton not so we can skip our history class

[@noahjohnson6321]

I find it funny that Miranda did stay true to the real Aaron Burr through his beliefs on duels, Alexander and President James Monroe almost had their own duel and sent threats to eachother and Aaron Burr had said that they were childish,and would soon later do the exact same thing with Alexander himself.

[@alliswonderlain2595]

The first time I realized that this wasn't a history book put to stage was when I looked into Philip's death. It's one of the more heartbreaking parts of the musical when Eacker shows his own lack of honour in striking down Philip before the ten count was even completed and I wanted to know more about it. Turns out. they both waited the full ten and decided not to shoot. Depending on. the source I read, after about a minute, one or the other raised their gun to finish it, the other followed suit and Philip was mortally wounded. I think that's the point of it though. It's to look at it, be entertained and go do some amount of research on the real thing because now, as part of my repertoire of useless knowledge, I now know the actual circumstances behind the death of Philip Hamiliton. Things like the Schuyler siblings and the actual age of Burr's daughter at the time of his duel are shifted to serve the plot, but, if your interest is piqued enough to go look into it then its job has been done.

[@sethjk8871]

i appreciate the fact that you professionally state the facts of the inaccuracies as well as the writers explanations for them instead of apologizing or deriding them for yourself.

[@bellah8703]

Nothing bother me I'm obsessed with this play, it was history with a twist, purely for entertainment, and everything about it was so romantic and tragic and energetic, I know that this is not how it really happen, but it gave me hope in people and how we can move toward love.

[@loripatton5638]

Me too!!! 😄👍🏾

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

Lies give you hope? No wonder very few people in this country know what the hell they're talking about. History isn't there to give you hope, it's there to let you know what did and didn't happen to keep people from doing what this musical does. Make up fatcs, then pass them off as the real thing.

[@Wisegirl6521]

Gloria Magrettte Esther Boyd most of “history”is not objective information of what did and didn’t happen. History is often simply just story’s that are past down with the details often lost to time. No one has control how history will remember or what history remembers you for. It also ok to take inspiration from history because history is where legends are made. Hamilton the play did a great job in making a legend out of a man that did many great things for this country

[@ysabellarivera8166]

I love how u put WHY the changes were made, really sets it apart from other FaLsE FacTS In HamiLtoN, and gives it nuance

[@samdiener]

To all the commenters who are complaining about the historical corrections in the video being irrelevant because it’s historical fiction: this video doesn’t ask you not to like and enjoy the musical. I think it’s valuable to compare the historical fiction with the historical record.

[@TheTradge]

I think the point is that art forms based on historical events are usually highly romanticised or semi-fictionalised, Hamilton isn't a documentary, it's a piece of musical theatre BASED ON the life and times of Alexander Hamilton, people who take art at face value are, quite frankly, morons. If people want to learn the history behind the show, they should pick up a book, not expect everything to be 100% historically accurate, because that isn't the point of theatre!

[@the.nikkoman]

Imagine having a history teacher let a class watch this awesome "movie", and then give the class an assignment on finding all historical inaccuracies from it?

[@FlicksAndTheCity]

What do you think about how Hamilton changed history in the musical?

[@losttribe3001]

As long as it gets people curious and they search out actually history. It’s a good learning opportunity.

[@dragonsaregreat1948]

I could care less about the founding fathers until Hamilton, honestly. But now I do some research and find some facts, so I think it's good that it inspires people to learn history. And I think it's fine that it was changed, as long as you know it's incorrect.

[@Susan-jr3ld]

The choices for the sake of the story and the art were perfect. I also think videos like this and books that show the difference are important. We learned a lot, but we need to not get so lost in the story we take theater as fact. You nailed this video, explaining why choices were made and what really went down.

[@femke3868]

It actually made me interested in history which I did not think possible I love it that when actually no one was in the room where it happened (w Jefferson and Madison and Hamilton) he tells it from Burr’s point of view. I think it’s an amazing way of portraying how no one actually knows what happened. I also love the story about Eliza burning the letters. I don’t know if that’s how it went but it made sense for her character and it was beautiful. I love the show so much, despite the inaccuracies.

[@allisonzhang8918]

To me the musical is being self reflective since the very beginning where Washington sang “you have no control who lives who dies who tells your story”. In this show Lin is the narrator but as the song says, he asks his audience to realize that this is just one of the narrations, it is not THE narration of Hamilton and all the other characters presented in the show.

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

Not really true, because most people look at history as one big story, not a bunch of smaller ones.

[@terra_the_nightingale135]

The point of the musical has never been to teach history. Lessons yes and to enjoy. Even Lin said don’t ignore the true history, but that wasn’t what the musical was for, what it does however is help people get interested in what the actual history was! Like this video here. People go looking for the accurate events such as what happened with Charles Lee and such.

[@hobisjams2467]

it's almost as if it's called "Hamilton: the musical" and not "Hamilton: the historically accurate resource" because it's designed for entertainment 🤔

[@girlhunter2102]

I was impressed with some of the small nods to history like Sally Hemmings and Jefferson and the “fought in 100 degree heat, snatch a stalemate from defeat” (I forget the name of the actual battle).

[@kitteav]

Some of the inaccuracies that kinda make me smile, actually. 1) Hamilton had 8 kids, instead of the 1 portrayed in the show (I think they mention there were a few but they never explicitly mentioned how many) including a son named Philip born after the first Philip died 2) I don't think we're actually sure if Washington had a cat named after Hamilton. That being said, people who expect historical accuracy from a musical... I don't know what to say to you.

[@nataliethomas1445]

GET a grip!! This play wasn’t just created to be put on Broadway just to spit out history on the audience! It’s theater! Therefore the musical is theatrical! It was made for entertainment and to tell PARTS of history in a amazing and musical way! Not everything has to be so correct all the damn time! It’s a great play so give it a BREAK!

[@cumincalamity9867]

It's important to acknowledge the historical inaccuracies so we don't confuse fact with fiction. That actually does happen a lot of times. For example, after George Washington died there was a biography written about him that basically portrayed him as a nearly perfect human. That's where the cherry tree story comes from. Because of this, American history has always portrayed him as more heroic than he ever was. However, just like many of his contemporaries, he owned slaves and considered black people to be inferior.... and this idea is still rather prevalent in America today. You see the problem with historical inaccuracy being portrayed as fact?

[@brettguest4395]

As a historian, my biggest issue I saw immediately was their leaving out of Henry Knox, Washington’s closest confidant and his Secretary of War, during the cabinet meetings. The presence of Jefferson, Secretary of State, and Madison, who wasn’t even IN the cabinet, provides the opposing force for Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury, to fight against on the bank bill. The omission of Henry Knox, whom agreed with and fought on the side of Hamilton, makes Hamilton to be this 1-person underdog against a 2-person front, when in reality it was 2v2 with Washington deciding to be central. Hamilton also makes out its title character to be Washington’s second in command and most important advisor, when once again that was Henry Knox not Alexander Hamilton.

[@michaelevans1193]

I’ve heard Hamilton described as fan-fiction, which I think is an apt explanation. Hidden Figures did some of the same things. They don’t really hurt the historical context, but they make things a little easier to deal with in the medium being used.

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

But it doesn't really help matter either. When you put out stories about history that didn't really happen, then people will believe it really did.

[@daphneyokeah9198]

I saw online that George Eacker didn't shoot Philip before the count, and that they actually were both at a standstill for a whole minute before he shot. Is that true?

[@mashalyn2012]

Any musical, movie, or tv show about history is going to take some liberties. Real life is never that exciting, and doesn't follow a perfect script or plot line. Plus, in the case of musicals and movies, you don't have enough time to go into every detail. But like she said, it's meant to inspire. And it definitely made me more interested in this era of history.

[@NicoleMP885]

Another thing is in the adams administration they say "Adams fires Hamilton", he did not fire him, Hamilton resigned in 1795, before Adams was even presedent

[@kitkatpdx]

It takes months, if not years to fully get all of the info (and understand it) about America, and that's in real classes. It's impressive how much Lin- Manuel Miranda was able to fit in a 2 and a half hour play! He also had to make it a bit more interesting and less cimplex so that people would actually want to watch it, and could understand what was happening.

[@alfamaize]

The one thing that kind of bugs me is Charles Lee- as if Washington promoted him. He was appointed General by the Continental Congress. After being captured and then released- that happened when the Army was wintering in Valley Forge. LaFayette started the chase of the British, but after some issues, Lee took over (longer story), and then the debacle at Monmouth happened. That never was a choice between Lee and Hamilton, it was Lees to take or leave just by being 2nd of who was around. But it made for a more amusing story.

[@samdiener]

alfamaize The depiction of Lee at that battle in the musical is also quite inaccurate. Some historians argue that Lee’s retreating was tactically very smart and prevented even greater Continental Army losses.

[@terra_the_nightingale135]

Sam Diener exactly but historical accuracy isn’t the point of the musical. Lee was more for pushing storytelling and the narrative. It did make me research more about Lee out of curiosity though!

[@Wisegirl6521]

Sam Diener well history would prove him wrong Washington won the war

[@tessareea]

How about the biggest historical inaccuracy, that the hero spy of Yorktown wasn't Hercules Mulligan, but James Armistead, a black man and America's first double agent.

[@Wisegirl6521]

James armistead was not close friends despite with Hamilton and Mulligan did help to spy on the British soldiers and help to save Washington and his troop twice with his information. I think the show did a great job in being as accurate and entertaining as possible. Like the show says “ you have no control who lives, who dies, who will ultimately tell your story”

[@NotMe-yh5gi]

I wouldn’t say that’s the biggest

[@laurabid]

wait what thats so sexy holy shit

[@hushedtears]

In terms of the show and slavery, it's not as though the show doesn't criticize it. In fact "who remembers your name, who tells your story" reminds the audience that history is told by the victors. By adding that perspective, the show is critical of itself

[@corinneo909]

Idk why Burn is included in here- the whole song is about how no one knows how she reacted.

[@edwardkay288]

To note that historians are uncertain when the letters were discarded and whether it was Eliza who (burned) them.

[@paulclementi7900]

As a US History teacher, aspects of the soundtrack are a great resource to begin the discussion of the complexity of the characters and the time. Your video does a nice job highlighting a number of the discrepancies that need clarification. The one discrepancy not discussed but is really important to bring out is Hamilton is portrayed throughout the musical as the great champion of the "common man;" but as a high Federalist, he was really distrustful of giving any real political power to the masses. When he gives his six-hour speech at the Constitutional Convention the other delegates are offended not solely by its length but also its content, which proposes a kind of government that was disturbing similar to Great Britain, included a monarch-like president who would be elected for life. Again... don't look at this play (or any historically based play or book) as a completely accurate end, but a means to begin the discussion. What is the most compelling question of the play is why did it take over 200 years for actors that are people of color to feel like this finally became their history????? Bravo Miranda! Thank you!

[@duckytuna7476]

this musical is just a dramafied story. things will obviously be made up a bit to simplify in just a few hours. it has to spice thinga up heavily to keep it interesting, but the main story is still correct

[@matteotamburella608]

You forgot to mention the fact that the people portrayed in Hamilton did not actually sing all the time in real life but since Miranda was writing a musical he thought it would’ve been more suitable to include songs in the show

[@lmpb5533]

I also think it's very inaccurate that the founding fathers were rappers. Cancel Hamilton.

[@him6956]

I hope this is a joke

[@Potatoesop]

Its a joke

[@him6956]

L Moore alright

[@lmpb5533]

@@him6956 it is XD

[@minyrar7107]

🤣

[@meldeblaecker4929]

I watched Hamilton for the first time yesterday and was blown away. I wasn't watching it for a history lesson, I watched it for entertainment purposes... I just happened to learn some stuff too.

[@marilynbergemann6808]

Weird Al did an amazing job making Hamilton polka

[@elisabethjones9576]

Angelica was actually already married to John Church super young, she married him in secret because her father did not approve of him. 😂

[@suellengrenko9871]

Thanks to the Disney streaming service, I was able to see this monumental production. As a student of history, none of its historical inaccuracies concerned me because here was an enormously sincere effort to grapple with our history, seeing and celebrating its good while not being deterred by the failure of the founders to completely abolish slavery. What the show does is to bring the issues forward for serious contemplation more to inspire change today than to criticize the founders.It allows the founders to be the great men that they were (flaws and all) all the while acknowledging that we have a role to play in the slavery issue as well....and the production calls for careful and compassionate work toward the issue, not riots! It is an inspiring call to engagement, but engagement with care and seriousness, not anger and violence. I am stunned and inspired by this performance and couldn't be more grateful that a streaming service has brought Broadway into my living room!

[@Anewbis.]

I'm always wondering if hamilton actually aimed for the sky

[@tebrim]

It made me mad that they were like "you deserve a chance to meet your son" when now they can barely tell the gender.

[@triciebird]

Considering how the inaccurate actual history often is , I’m not gonna hold art to the same standard. But this was fascinating.

[@katiecooper1387]

Super informative video! SO much better than what I see most do. Yours was entertaining, educating, and lacked filler. I like it!

[@levarhiggs3174]

Wait. Wait. Wait. You mean to tell me the founding fathers and Congress didn’t really settle arguments with clever rap battles........? I’VE BEEN LIED TO!!!!!!

[@eliselianaboyd2547]

People can and do believe some very interesting things

[@colinmills]

it’s a musical to take with a grain of salt. i love hamilton and there’s nothing wrong with liking it but while enjoying it, you have to keep in mind that it’s a romanticized version of history that changes facts to a) skew the story to be positive towards the main character/protagonist & b) give a better story and dramatic progression. it would be so boring and not have as much impact, but that doesn’t mean that it’s ok to ignore what truly happened. and that’s the point of the musical - you don’t get to choose who tells your story and how they do it. that’s the entire message the musical is trying to convey, and the making of it and what it keeps/deletes historically is the most prime example.

[@maria27449]

I think people forget the fact that the show is a piece of historical fiction. It’s only natural that Lin changed some things to fit his narrative.

[@shahahayla]

Why do people not realize this show is historical fiction? Not non fiction? People are hating on Lin for the differences, but it's literally entertainment, not a documentary. Just enjoy it and learn the history yourself. I'm glad this video was made so that I know what actually happens, but that doesn't mean you should hate on the show because it's not completely accurate

[@bradley8867]

Great job by Miranda, Hamilton is one of the best plays ever

[@naidastephanie9508]

When someone asked on Twitter why Peggy was not included in most parts of Act 1 He said that "Peggy did not live long enough" but Peggy passed away about 6 months before Philip Hamilton passed away, he died at 19 (I think)

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Peggy was a complete badass! She deserved more stage time.

[@pmcelraft]

Top 7 ways I don't care and enjoyed the show, it's not a documentary buuuut an interpretation but f historical events

[@ArtyDoesDoodles]

Tbh this is the only thing that mildly bugged me I didn’t care for the fact it didn’t say anything about the other children of Hamilton. His eldest daughter Angelica had a mental illness called eternal childhood, it didn’t say the fact that during most songs they had between 4-8 kids. It just pretty much said we just have two Phillip and Angelica, even though in it’s quiet uptown it does mention they have other children cause Alexander says “I take the children to church on Sundays” Other than that it was a beautiful musical and I loved it

[@taffysaur]

If it’s “a story of America then told by America now,” shouldn’t the cast be like 70% white..?

[@taffysaur]

space dogo I’m not really bothered, btw; I love the musical and everyone in it. It’s just the reason given for casting the revolutionaries as non-white doesn’t make sense to me. If it’s meant to represent modern America it should still be majority white. Again, not that that is what I WANT. It isn’t, I love the actors they chose. It’s just a confusing reason.

[@taffysaur]

The Black Crayon Nope, it’s just the actual breakdown of the country. Again, I don’t WANT a mostly white cast, I love who’s in it.

[@f.r.wilson7603]

"Where we are, how we got here, and what we are supposed to do now" beautifully put, and so true. Learning our past is the key to knowing our future.

[@DeividManuRos]

saludos desde Argentina

[@keira9522]

Saludos desde Honduras:v

[@Idunnowattodopng]

Saludos desde España

[@mangoladon1004]

Eliza did actually dispose of the letter because there is another conversion between Washington and Eliza where eliza tells him that she is destroying the letters and Washington says but think about history and how they will see Hamiltion to which she replied “I am”

[@katiey4005]

i... i hope people don’t actually believe that most of this is historical fact. it’s f i c t i o n