The Role Of African Americans In The American Revolution

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

African Americans helped shape the civil war in many ways. In fact, they were basically the underlying cause for the war in the first place. African Americans were slaves and had been treated like property since they first arrived in America. Therefore, the possibility of freedom for these slaves caused a big uproar in the south. The issue of equal rights for African Americans, the country’s ignorance to African American’s abilities and willingness to learn caused a divide between the states. The strong differing opinions about slavery led to what is known as the bloodiest U.S. war of all time.

From 1775 to 1830, many African Americans gained freedom from, yet during the same period the institution towards the southern parts of America to work in plantations. This was the start of new changes that was going to take place that free African Americans and enslaved African Americans. Between 1775 and 1830 was one of the greatest trials that came with many challenges for the African Americans to confront these issues.

African-Americans are essentially second-class citizens. Moreover, at the outbreak of World War I America was a segregated society with African-Americans facing discrimination and brutalities of every kind. Even in the face of repugnant treatment, many African-Americans saw the outbreak of war as an opportunity to win the respect of both their country and their white neighbors.

The impact of African Americans during the American Revolution could be noted on both sides of the War. This is based on their want for freedom. Many took advantage of the revolutionary crisis and

Early in the history of the colonies, slavery was widely accepted as well as applauded. Slaves were a key part in the development of the country and they were a very important part in the revolutionary war. Slaves fought on both sides of the revolution, it is estimated at nearly 5000 thousand men. The American Revolution was very important as it brought about different views and ideas. "In much of the North, by contrast, the combination of Revolutionary sentiment and evangelical Christian fervor helped spread antislavery sentiments widely through society" (Brinkley 120). The American Revolution had a huge impact on Northern states; antislavery movement swept the states. The slave trade was outlawed in several states and laws were changed regarding freeing slaves.

Women, African Americans, and foreigners all had a role in the American Revolution. During the revolution, many white, American colonists were away fighting for America’s freedom. Help in the war effort was not limited to those individuals, however. Women, African Americans, and foreigners all helped out. According to “American Athenas: Women in the Revolution” by Tina Ann Nguyen, “Despite their low positions in society, women did participate” (Document 2). This explicitly informs the reader that women participated in the revolution. Regarding African Americans’, in “The Revolution’s Black Soldiers”, Robert Selig includes, “During the winter of 1777-78, dozens of black Virginians served in every one of the state regiments, freezing, starving and dying at Valley Forge” (Document 5). Selig’s words provides the readers with information about some African Americans who were in Virginia’s regiments.

The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a war between England and the colonies which were settled earlier by the English. There were many factors and events that led to the American Revolution. The Revolution was mainly an economic rebellion that was fueled by taxation without representation following the French and Indian War. The English Parliament was more often than not considered cruel and unfair by the colonists. With conflicts over trade, taxes and government representation, the colonies were at a starting line of a revolution that would later transform into the basis of the United States of America.

Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship."

Contributions African-American soldiers made towards the Union cause was enrolling as cooks, stewards, and fireman, and some serving in the war. Risks and hardships African-American soldiers experienced were being captured and put to death as slaves in revolt, and forced into labor battalions. In the south slaves could enlist in the war for the fear of revolt.

Have you ever felt you played a significant role in something but didn't get a lot of credit? This is how the slaves felt in the American Revolutionary war. Slaves played a huge role in the revolutionary war. They fought for both sides the loyalists (british) and the patriots (americans).

After the Battle of Long Island, “Many Patriot soldiers had not been wearing shoes, socks, or jackets. They were also in a great need of blankets” (). If Patriot soldiers did not die from fighting, then they most likely would have died of these conditions. Also, in the winter of 1775-1776, many soldiers began to run away, as well of their terms of service ended, so they went home. Because of this, the Continental Army greatly dwindled in size, and George Washington needed more troops. If more troops weren’t sent soon, then the war for Americans was as good as done. As a result of this need for more soldiers, African Americans began to enlist, as “they believed in the Patriot cause or they needed money”. Thanks to these African American soldiers, the Continental Army was able to reform, and go on to win many victories, which ultimately led the Americans to winning the Revolution. If it weren’t for these African American colonists, then the entire army would have fallen apart. If they really were passive and did not do this, then the Revolution would have taken a very different course, as the Americans were almost ready to give up due to lack of troops. The aggressive actions of these soldiers in battle helped the Americans win the war, and come out on top over

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.

Throughout American history, African Americans have had to decide whether they belonged in the United States or if they should go elsewhere. Slavery no doubtfully had a great impact upon their decisions. However, despite their troubles African Americans made a grand contribution and a great impact on both armed forces of the Colonies and British. "The American Negro was a participant as well as a symbol."; (Quarles 7) African Americans were active on and off the battlefield, they personified the goal freedom, the reason for the war being fought by the Colonies and British. The African Americans were stuck in the middle of a war between white people. Their loyalty was not to one side or another, but to a principle, the principle of liberty.

The conquest of the American Revolution has a rather dynamic history of struggle between two nations, one nation wanting economic power, and the other nation wanting economic independence. This rebellion caused an uproar of all seekers of independence to form an alliance against Britain. Liberty was deemed as the most motivational principle that it redefined the Revolution in its entirety. So much so that enslaved African Americans wanted to fight for the same principle; however, for them--this was not only a fight for American Independence but also, a fight for freedom from their own shackles. Chapter five of the textbook From Slavery to Freedom, “Give Me Liberty,” John Hope Franklin expressed the major impact of African Americans surrounding the Revolutionary War. According to John Hope Franklin, America as a nation was not only founded upon an anti-tax rebuttal but also accrediting racism as a major driving force of the American Revolution.