Black Soldiers in American History Essay

In the eyes of the British troops, recruiting slaves to fight amongst them was a win-win situation. I am sure a lot of the slaves back then wouldv’e done almost anything to get freed, and the Brit’s used this to their advantage. They also knew that it would anger the slave owners, that was another way to try and remain control over the people in the South. This would also work to their advantage because I am sure the slaves weren’t happy with their situations, and would channel that anger and hatred towards their owners into fighting against them. The slaves had families and probably recruited friends and family to help. The slaves were ripped from their homes and sold by the African people so they didn’t have their roots planted here in North America, so they was an advantage to both the colonists and the British troops. Common sense tells me that it would be more difficult for a man to commit to fighting in a war if he were surrounded by his friends and family. Where they were already ripped from them and here in a country isolated from their people, it wasn’t that difficult to walk away. The colonists also shared in the advantage that recruiting the slaves to join their militia would be easier to do considering what they were leaving. Some slave owners were good to

The American Revolution resonated with all classes of society, as it stood to divide a nation’s loyalties and recreate the existing fabric of society. During the 1770s to mid 1780s, no group living in the British American colonies was left unaffected. For blacks enslaved in America, the war presented the fleeting possibility of freedom in a nation that was still dependent on an economic structure of oppression and bondage. For those blacks that were free, they chose their alliances wisely in hopes of gaining economic opportunities and improving their status in the American colonies. The American Negroes, whether free or enslaved, could be found on either side of the battlefront. They took on many different roles, some fighting on the

Before WORLD WAR I, military service represented a source of black pride. Black educators, clergymen, and the press frequently referred to Negro heroes of America’s past wars. After the Civil War, the U.S, Army maintained four regular Negro regiments –the 9th and 10th Calvary and the 24th and 25th Infantry. These units included veterans of the civil war and the frontier Indian fighting regiments. Retired sergeants often became respected, conservative leaders in their communities. This history set a foundation for black support and involvement in America’s future wars.

During the revolutionary war, slaves were not treated the way that they were treated in the movie. Also the scene it showed a message by George Washington stating that "slaves who fought one year in the war for the continental cause were freed and paid five shillings a month"3 This was fictional and speaking of fictional, in the Patriot only one black man fought for the continental army, in reality there were many black man fought against the British army.1

In the history of the United States, African Americans have always been discriminated against. When Africans first came to America, they were taken against their will and forced to work as laborers. They became slaves to the rich, greedy, lazy Americans. They were given no pay and often badly whipped and beaten. African Americans fought for their freedom, and up until the Civil War it was never given to them. When the Civil War began, they wanted to take part in fighting to free all slaves. Their opportunity to be soldiers and fight along side white men equally did not come easily, but eventually African Americans proved themselves able to withstand the heat of battle and fight as true American heroes.

The time has come again to celebrate the achievements of all black men and women who have chipped in to form the Black society. There are television programs about the African Queens and Kings who never set sail for America, but are acknowledged as the pillars of our identity. In addition, our black school children finally get to hear about the history of their ancestors instead of hearing about Columbus and the founding of America. The great founding of America briefly includes the slavery period and the Antebellum south, but readily excludes both black men and women, such as George Washington Carver, Langston Hughes, and Mary Bethune. These men and women have contributed greatly to American society.

Slavery has had its roots deep in the soil that is our American history, dating back to the 1600s in America. After fighting the revolutionary war and obtaining independence from Great Britain, America would soon face another nemesis- The Confederate forces. The Confederate forces or the Confederacy is the name given to the slave-holding states of America which were prominent in the 1800s amid the Civil War era. It started when southern states, in favor of slave labor, seceded from the Union after the election of a more liberal present, Abraham Lincoln who aimed for the abolition of slavery. This marked the beginning of the civil war that lasted approximately fourteen bloody years. For long, African Americans were not allowed to fight alongside their fellow white citizens due to a prejudice climate. In an attempt to recruit African Americans to join the Union Army, Alfred M. Green an African American man himself, used emotional appeal, historical context, and ethical appeal during his speech to create a convincing, and persuasive argument for a better future.

Racial ideas and violence would deter black officers from achieving a higher status in the Union army. Blackness being associated with feminine qualities was the factor that made black officers fight to prove their manhood and achieve their freedom. Even though the wage discrepancy would become a problem that was solved as the war went on, black soldiers would leave the army because of the financial stress that their family endured. All in all, black soldiers proved their abilities but were not able to achieve equality status as their white

This paper will go on to describe the direct impact of the Great War on all African American migration, military service, and political protest. These three things would have combined to make the years of the Great War a major impact on African American history. When war first erupted in Europe in August of 1914, most Americans - African Americans included - did not see a reason for the United States to get involved, many viewing the bloodshed as petty in the activities of their everyday lives. This belief of neutrality amongst the people would only grow stronger as stalemates ensued, and death rates climbed higher. As the war raged on, the Black press would aim its papers to side with the French, because of their continued commitment for racial equality, as well as, their employment of African soldiers in their military. When the United States entered the war, it would have a great impact on many African Americans, particularly the many men, women, and children who embarked on the Great Migration - the largest movement of people in American history.

“. . . In the face of heavy odds, black troops had proved once again their courage, determination, and willingness to die for the freedom of their race”

With the various ways slavery was spread throughout the geography of the United States, these variations formed different cultures and conflicting laws on slavery. Due to inconsistent systems of slavery, it resulted in the Civil War, dividing the North and the South over the issues of slavery. In the end of the Civil War, many individuals with every sense of positive intentions gave opportunities and support to freed slaves developing into beneficial members for the nation. The United States came together as a nation to solve the issues of slavery, freedom, and the reorganization problems particular to African Americans. It is seen throughout our history all efforts to solve these issues but sadly African Americans still face many of the these problems today. These problems and issues of the 20th century needed to be solved by the leadership of African Americans, for their African American community. W.E.B Du Bois is a tremendous example of an African American leader for what was best for the United States at that time.

As of the mid-19th century and on was when African Americans and women were beginning to gain somewhat equal rights or were still disputing them. It is also well know that both have suffered in vastly different manners, but in some cases are very similar in certain struggles. African American men and women had to survive the terrors of the Ku Klux Klan in the southern states, managing life with the Black Code looming over their every move. They were basically fighting for something that a lot of people take for granted, their right to live as a regular citizen. White women on the other hand had their fair share of discrimination as well, when it came to labor, labor organizations and, equal wages.

About 180,000 African American people comprised 163 units that served in the Union Army, during the time of the Civil War, and many more African American people had served in the Union Navy. Both the free African-Americans and the runaway slaves had joined the fight. On the date of July 17, in the year of 1862, the U. S. Congress had passed two very important acts that would allow the enlistment of many African Americans, but the official enrollment had occurred only after the September, 1862, issuance of the, Emancipation Proclamation. In general, most white soldiers and officers, had believed that most of the black men, who had served in the Civil War, lacked the courage, and the will to fight

The British saw Washington’s original actions and promised emancipation for all slaves who fought for England. Washington's position towards blacks had made it clear that the individuals running the revolution were not interested in black freedom, so the British offer literally produced a flood of African-American volunteers to the British Army. The escaped slaves were not merely good soldiers; they were passionate and saw the British cause as a way to rebel against their American masters. Despite being on the losing end of the war, slaves who fought for the British in the American Revolution mark the beginning of an emancipation movement.

     The African American saw only limited military service, the negative attitude toward enlisting black men came from master unwilling to give up their servants or from the fear of putting guns in the hands of people who were not free. South Carolina and Georgia, both heavily populated by African Americans, refused to legalize slave enlistments. When General Washington took command of the army, white colonists decided that not only should no black slaves or freemen be enlisted, but that those already serving in the Army should be dismissed.