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African Americans During the American Revolution
Introduction:
During the revolutionary period in America, the word "liberty" was everywhere: the liberty tree, the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, and slogans such as "give me liberty or give me death." The concept of liberty was everywhere, but its reality was limited. Much of the American economy was based on the complete opposite of liberty, slavery. African Americans used the Revolution to try to obtain their personal freedom.
African American Patriots:
African American Patriots fought every major battle of the Revolutionary War.
James Armisteadwas a slave who received permission from his master to join the Continental Army as a spy. He provided the information that allowed the Patriots to ultimately defeat the British at the Battle of Yorktown.
Crispus Attucks was the first casualty of the American Revolution in 1770 when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre.
Prince Easterbrooks was wounded at the Battle of Lexington yet continued to fight for the Patriot cause. He fought at almost every major battle of the Revolution.
James Forten joined the navy at the age of 14. He invented a device to handle ship sails His ship was captured by the British. He was sent to a POW camp. After the war he became an owner of his own business.
Agrippa Hull, a black slave,was given to TadeuszKosciuszko as a gift.Kosciuszko promptly released Hull, but Agrippa stayed on to serve him. During the American Revolution, Hullserved as an orderly to Generals Patterson and Kosciuszko.
Peter Salemwas a slave who was freed so that he could join the Patriot cause. He gained fame for his courageous fighting at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
African American Loyalists:
Many slaves thought the best way to obtain their freedom would be through serving in the British military. In November 1775, the governor of Virginia, John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, issued a proclamation promising that all slaves belonging to rebels would be freed after serving in the British army.
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Thomas Peters was a runaway slave who joined an all black regiment called the Black Pioneers. While serving with the Black Pioneers, Peters became well known and progressed to the rank of sergeant. Peters eventually emigrated to Nova Scotia.
Jeremiah Thomas, believing that the British would help blacks gain freedom, encouraged African Americans to join the British navy. In 1175, Thomas was hanged and burned for planning a rebellion against the colonists.
Colonel Tye was a slave who escaped and joined the British army. He became one of the most feared and respected guerrilla commanders of the Revolution.
Conclusion:
Regardless, of which side they chose, when the American Revolution ended, most African Americans were denied the promises of liberty that were written in the Declaration of Independence.
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