Struggle for Independence

African Americans fought on both sides in the American War for Independence African Americans fought on both sides in the American War for Independence. In this nineteenth-century painting, a black Patriot aims his pistol at a British officer during the Battle of Cowpens, fought in South Carolina in 1781. William Ranney, “The Battle of Cowpens.” Oil on Canvas. Photo by Sam Holland. Courtesy of South Carolina State House.

Because of southern opposition, the Declaration of Independence was edited to exclude criticism of the slave trade Because of southern opposition, the Declaration of Independence was edited to exclude criticism of the slave trade. Instead, the Declaration accused the British of inciting slaves to revolt against their masters.

The Declaration of Independence and African Americans Declaration did not support black claims for freedom African Americans asserted human equality belonged to them Contradiction between professed ideals and reality

The death of Crispus Attucks in the Boston Massacre.

The Impact of Enlightenment John Locke maintained human rights shared by all Patriots claimed British would enslave them, deny rights Difficulty denying they took African Americans’ rights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0_3KzuYuh0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_41wDUvai1s

African Americans in the Revolutionary Debate Some whites realized revolutionary principles incompatible with slavery Slaves sued for freedom based on universal liberty African Americans, white radicals confronted British authority Freedom suits Legal cases in which slaves sued their master or master’s heirs for freedom

African Americans in the War for Independence African Americans joined patriots American Indians fought with British Continental Army forbid blacks to enlist, reenlist Whites feared armed blacks would endanger social order Whites believed blacks cowardly, not effective soldiers

Black Loyalists British recruited African Americans Slaves escaped, sought British protection as loyalists More African Americans loyalists than patriots Slaves fought in exchange for freedom Lord Dunmore praised slaves as fierce fighters White blamed Dunmore for slave escapes When war ended, black, white loyalists left U.S.

This is a broadside version of Lord Dunmore’s November 7, 1775, proclamation calling on black men in Virginia to fight on the British side in the American War for Independence in return for their freedom. This is a broadside version of Lord Dunmore’s November 7, 1775, proclamation calling on black men in Virginia to fight on the British side in the American War for Independence in return for their freedom.

Black Patriots After Dunmore, Washington allows black veterans to reenlist Troop shortages forced recruitment of black soldiers Blacks fight for patriots in most major battles Only Maryland allowed slaves to serve for freedom Slaves served alongside or as substitutes for masters Most served in integrated military units

The Patriots of African Descent Monument The Patriots of African Descent Monument was erected at Valley Forge National Historical Park in 1933. Cal Massey designed the monument, and Phil Sumpter executed the relief sculpture portraying three black Revolutionary War soldiers who served among George Washington's troops.

The Revolution and Emancipation Enlightenment rationalism powerful anti- slavery force Whites still needed belief in self-interest, Christian duty Society of Friends, begin white abolitionist movement Quakers believe slavery sinful Antislavery societies, African Americans petition to end slavery

The Patriot newspaper Massachusetts Spy published this antislavery resolution The Patriot newspaper Massachusetts Spy published this antislavery resolution on June 21, 1775. It indicates the initiative taken by black abolitionists and the sympathetic response of white Patriots.

The Revolutionary Impact Revolution profoundly improved African American prospects In North, individual slaves gain freedom In South, slaves escape Virginia frees slaves who fought in war

THE RESETTLEMENT OF BLACK LOYALISTS AFTER THE AMERICAN WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE MAP 4–3 THE RESETTLEMENT OF BLACK LOYALISTS AFTER THE AMERICAN WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE Like their white Loyalist counterparts, many black Loyalists left with the British following the Patriot victory. Most of those who settled in Nova Scotia soon moved on to Great Britain or the British free black colony of Sierra Leone. Some black migrants to the British Caribbean were reenslaved. Adapted from The Atlas of African-American History and Politics, 1/e, by A. Smallwood and J. Elliot, © 1998, The McGraw-Hill Companies. Reproduced with permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

The Revolutionary Promise In North, Chesapeake, free black population emerged Moved to cities, faced economic difficulties Some had to return to masters In South, less independent Most free blacks, children of white owners

Question How did the American Revolution encourage assimilation among African Americans? How did it discourage assimilation?