Role of Blacks in the American Revolutionary War Essay

â€Å"And I hereby further declare all indented servants, Negroes, or others (appertaining to Rebels) free, that are able and willing to bear arms, the joining of His Majestys Troops, as soon as may be, for the more speedily reducing the Colony to a proper sense of their duty, to this Majestys crown and dignity.† -- Lord Dunmores Proclamation The quote above is from the British governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore who proclaimed freedom for African American slaves who fought for the British, after George Washington announced there would be no additional recruitment of Blacks in the Continental army in 1776. For numerous free blacks and enslaved blacks, the Revolutionary War was considered to be an essential period in black†¦show more content†¦It’s clearly inaccurate to identify one precise reason to explain why the Revolutionary War began, but there are correlating situations which would play key parts. The British Empire was much isolated from the American colonies and the citizens residing in the United States had a desire to orchestrate their own government. These lands contained an assortment of resources that were used by the early colonists to generate revenue which resulted in many of them gaining more wealth than people in Great Britain. Also, in an effort to reimburse their debts from prior wars wi th the French, the British imposed â€Å"high taxes† on the American colonists which infuriated American colonists. Such taxations eventually lead to events like the Boston tea party, which would soon after escalate to the battle of Lexington and Concord (the first battles of the Revolutionary war). With the commencing of American Revolutionary war and the colonies going to bat with their superior country England, many African Americans found themselves embedded in the crossfire. Together, slaves and free blacks watched the tension and debate between the two white groups, and a larger question deemed as to where and how blacks would be utilized in war efforts. By 1775, the war for sovereignty was underway and George Washington carried a heavy uncertainty about the participation of blacks, whichShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Harriet Beecher Stowe s Account Of Black Soldiers 1580 Words   |  7 PagesThe telling of history of Blacks who fought in the Revolutionary War started in 1850 with author William Nells’ account of Black Soldiers. Harriet Beecher Stowe contended in her overview to Nell’s Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, the work gave way to the possible to â€Å"‘give new self-respect and confidence to the race†¦And their white brothers in reading may remember, that generosity, disinterested courage and bravery, are of no particular race and complexion, and that the image of the HeavenlyRead MoreWhy Is History A Contentious Subject Within Schools Around The World?936 Words   |  4 Pagesand relevant history need to be told. Early American history that needs to be taught is slavery. New generation needs to know who slaves in American were and how they were treated by their slave’s owners. Slavery is a tough topic and the emotion of those facts evoke are intense. However, people still need to know the hardship the blacks went through, how they have contributed to America economy, and how they treated after they granted citizenship. Blacks (Negro their name on the plantation) were excessiveRead MoreThe Revolutionary War Of Independence1366 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Revolution which began as a War of Independence for American quickly transformed into a civil battle between the American patriots and loyalists joined by Indian forces. This war of independence, irrefutably, had a great effect on the citizens of America in varying degrees. The revolution, of course, gave a free rein to unforeseen political revolutions which often spark social revolutions. However, the American Revolution has fo reseen the beginning of an abolitionist movement for AfricanRead MoreEssay The Role of African Americans in the Revolutionary War697 Words   |  3 Pages The Role of African Americans in the Revolutionary War An estimated 100,000 African Americans escaped, died or were killed during the American Revolution(Mount). Roughly 95% of African Americans in the United States were slaves, and because of their status, the use of them during the revolution was inevitable(Mount). This led many Americans, especially those from the North, to believe that the Souths economy would collapse without slavery due to the use of slaves on the front lines. However, onlyRead MoreThe Role of African Americans in the Revolutionary War Essay727 Words   |  3 PagesThe Role of African Americans in the Revolutionary War An estimated 100,000 African Americans escaped, died or were killed during the American Revolution(Mount). Roughly 95% of African Americans in the United States were slaves, and because of their status, the use of them during the revolution was inevitable(Mount). This led many Americans, especially those from the North, to believe that the Souths economy would collapse without slavery due to the use of slaves on the front lines. However,Read MoreWhy Was The Revolutionary War So Important?902 Words   |  4 Pages Black Americans were instrumental and influential in the American revolutionary era, the war had a tremendous impact on them but despite that, they in turn played a crucial role in influencing the course of the conflict. Among the crucial roles played by the enslaved American Blacks were service in the military where they were divided in two, some of them think independence may help them earn their freedom and those are the enslaved blacks who paid loyalty to Jefferson and his movement. OtherRead MoreAfrican Americans During The American Revolution1686 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the American Revolution, African Americans fought on both sides. Those who fought were given their freedom and, in some instances, provided with land after the war. African American slaves who fought for the Loyalists were resettled after the war in places such as Nova Scotia, Upper and Lower Canada, and England. Those, however, who were on ships that went to the Caribbean remained slaves until 1834 w hen slavery was abolished in the British colonies. African American freemen and slaves, althoughRead MoreThe Revolutionary War Of Independence790 Words   |  4 PagesBy the War of Independence, slavery was deeply rooted in the American colonies. However, the Revolution provided African American slaves with several opportunities to obtain their freedom, including through military service in the British and American armed forces. From the war’s outset, both American and British government officials as well as military officers contemplated how they could use African American slaves to further their war efforts. This paper uses a case study approach to explore twoRead MoreAfrican Americans During The Revolutionary Era925 Words   |  4 Pages The Revolutionary Era was a time for liberal reformation, independence, and a new found united states. An uprising for freedom from Britain’s tyrannic king swept through the colonies and a fight for independence was making it’s way. However, the war with Britain would be no cake walk for the new found colonies and extra reinforcement was needed. African Americans played major roles during the Revolutionary Era by participating in battles such as Lexington, Bunker Hill, and Yorktown. Some were freeRead MoreEssay on Role of Women in the American Revolution619 Words   |  3 PagesRole of Women in the American Revolution The role of women played in any given war is quite often severely underestimated. This sentiment especially goes for the American Revolutionary War, where women actually played an absolutely essential role in our victory against the British. Not only where there different types of women who had helped, but there were many different ways each of them helped--particularly as nurses to help save lives and tend to injured soldiers. Without women helping in