Reading Profile
Taylor Jenkins
Professor Kodi Roberts
African American History
09 October 2012
African Americans and the Revolutionary War
The American Revolution, also known as the Revolutionary War, was a significant event that changed the whole world. Although the Revolutionary War lasted only for eight years, the American Revolution started developing years before the first shots at the battle of Lexington and Concord were fired. African-Americans joined the Revolutionary War, because the principles underlying the revolution implied the end of slavery and granting of rights for them. American historian Benjamin Quarles, understood the African-American community's need for equality and freedom. Around 5,000 African-Americans served as soldiers in the Continental Army and about 20,000 in the British Army. The Revolutionary War was a blessing in disguise for many African-Americans, as it paved the way to freedom from slavery and helped them to embark on their journey towards equality and civil rights.
At the start of the war General George Washington did not want African Americans to fight in the military. In November of 1775 Lord Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, promised freedom to any slave, owned by a rebelling colonist that fought for the British. This caused many slaves to escape to the side of the British. The Americans still did not let slaves fight with them. As time passed and the Americans lost many soldiers, some of the colonies began to let slaves enlist in1778. Virginia did not let slaves join but they did let some free blacks volunteer. Some slave owners in Virginia went against this rule and sent slaves to fight in their place.
There were over 5,000 African Americans in the army. Salem Poor, Prince Estabrook, Cato Woods, and Lemuel Hayes fought at Lexington and Concord. Salem Poor fought at Bunker Hill and is given credit for shooting British Major Pitcairn. Over 2,000 African Americans like James Forten fought with the Navy. Some, like James Armistead
Professor Kodi Roberts
African American History
09 October 2012
African Americans and the Revolutionary War
The American Revolution, also known as the Revolutionary War, was a significant event that changed the whole world. Although the Revolutionary War lasted only for eight years, the American Revolution started developing years before the first shots at the battle of Lexington and Concord were fired. African-Americans joined the Revolutionary War, because the principles underlying the revolution implied the end of slavery and granting of rights for them. American historian Benjamin Quarles, understood the African-American community's need for equality and freedom. Around 5,000 African-Americans served as soldiers in the Continental Army and about 20,000 in the British Army. The Revolutionary War was a blessing in disguise for many African-Americans, as it paved the way to freedom from slavery and helped them to embark on their journey towards equality and civil rights.
At the start of the war General George Washington did not want African Americans to fight in the military. In November of 1775 Lord Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, promised freedom to any slave, owned by a rebelling colonist that fought for the British. This caused many slaves to escape to the side of the British. The Americans still did not let slaves fight with them. As time passed and the Americans lost many soldiers, some of the colonies began to let slaves enlist in1778. Virginia did not let slaves join but they did let some free blacks volunteer. Some slave owners in Virginia went against this rule and sent slaves to fight in their place.
There were over 5,000 African Americans in the army. Salem Poor, Prince Estabrook, Cato Woods, and Lemuel Hayes fought at Lexington and Concord. Salem Poor fought at Bunker Hill and is given credit for shooting British Major Pitcairn. Over 2,000 African Americans like James Forten fought with the Navy. Some, like James Armistead