What you didn't know about African Americans the the Revolutionary War
African Americans and why they fought for the Continental army. The reason black patriots fought for the Continental army was both for Crispus Attucks and because they were already freed men. Crispus Attucks was a black man who was shot in the Boston Massacre. Many free and none freed African Americans fought because of Crispus Attucks and fought for redemption and revenge. Already freed African Americans fought for the same reason any white man fought. To become a free country and have to have a self ruling country.
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African Americans and why they fought for the BritishThe Revolutionary War was a fight for freedom for America against the British but they were not the only ones fight for their freedom. Around 20,000 African Americans fought for the British in exchange for their freedom. The motivation factor was a large reward for the African Americans who had no freedom in their current situation. Also a small bounty was also offered to the black men who fought.
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The Revolutionary War was fought in the Eastern part of what today is the United States.
Important African Americans During the Revolutionary War
Crispus AttucksWas shot during the Boston Massacre and was the motivation for many Black patriots to fight for the Continental army. |
James ArmisteadA double agent who gave false information to Lord Cornwallis about the Continental Army while actually spying on them for General Lafayette. He was freed in 1786 for his work as a spy. |
Colonel TyeA slave named "Titus" who fought for the british. He was an unofficial colonel who led unofficial soldiers on raids. He became widely known and feared.
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Royal Ethiopian RegimentThe Royal Ethiopian Regiment was composed of African Americans who had accepted Lord Dunmore's proclamation. Nearly 800 men carried muskets and wore shirts that read "Liberty to Slaves". This regiment fought in several battles and also served as laborers and guards.
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Lord Dunmore was the last of the Royal Government in Virginia. His innovation of freeing slaves to fight for the british played a major role in Revolutionary War strategy. He was born 1732 in England and was appointed governor of New York in 1770. He was well known and his proclamation of any slaves that fight for the British would be granted freedom gave England almost 15,000 of the 20,000 slaves that fought for the British. The other 5,000 came from England. That was just another advantage the British had over the United states.
The Economy was mostly agrarian. Also the Continental Congress was spending to much money for troops and supplies so the government and the people had almost no money.
Slavery is still a problem today and slaves being forced to fight for their owners. Also other races being involved in another countries war also occurs.
Slavery is still a problem today and slaves being forced to fight for their owners. Also other races being involved in another countries war also occurs.
Works Cited:
- Gray, Madison. "James Armistead, Patriot Spy - Black History Month: Unsung Heroes - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1963424_1963480_1963442,00.html>.
- " James Armistead Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com ."Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com . N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/james-armistead-537566>.
- "John Murray - Ohio History Central."Ohio History Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/John_Murray>.
- "American Revolutionary War Map."Download Fun Strategy Games from Indie Sillysoft Games. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://sillysoft.net/lux/maps/American%20Revolutionary%20War>.
- "John Murray - Ohio History Central."Ohio History Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/John_Murray>.
- "Class Discussion – Washington vs. Tye | Peña's 8th Grade US History Class."Peña's 8th Grade US History Class | Just another WordPress.com site. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://penasushistory.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/class-discussion-washington-vs-tye/>.
- "File:Crispus Attucks.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crispus_Attucks.jpg>.
- "Class Discussion – Washington vs. Tye | Peña's 8th Grade US History Class."Peña's 8th Grade US History Class | Just another WordPress.com site. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. <http://penasushistory.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/class-discussion-washington-vs-tye/>.