The American Revolution America Breaks Away!
Outcomes 3.9 discuss the causes and outcomes of the American Revolution with particular emphasis on the impact on African people, i.e., Black Loyalists, Black Refugees.
The American Revolutionary War 1776 Broke the 13 colonies away from Britain violently Solved the issue of slavery through cementing the economics of slavery Slaves encouraged to run away and join Britain – made promises
The Boston Tea Party
The Intolerable Acts The Intolerable Acts
Coercive Acts – Intolerable Acts Quartering Act: Local citizens required to provide sleeping arrangements and food for British soldiers Boston Port Bill: Closed Boston Harbour until all the tea was paid for Administration of Justice Act: (The Murdering Act) Ensured all of the Americas was under the legal jurisdiction of the British Crown Massachusetts Government Act: Removed the ability of Massachusetts to govern itself and gave the Governor large powers Quebec Act: Increased the territory belonging to the province of Quebec by taking it from the 13 colonies Stamp Act: Put a tax on paper for stamps and posters
Terms Loyalist: Someone who remained loyal to England Implied white Black Loyalist: Someone who remained loyal to England in the Revolution Implied slave or former slave
The Promise Break away from the colonies Fight for the British Get free land Get free transportation Get free housing Get tools and seeds to start up Get free supplies for a year
Spreading the Word…
The Promise
Letter of Promise - Loyalists
Proclamation of Promise to Slaves
Certificate of Freedom
Black Loyalists Black Loyalists
Consequences of Getting Caught
The promise was made to loyalists and black loyalists alike! An additional promise for the black loyalist – run away and join any British Garrison and you get all of the promised items AND freedom…
Promises kept? For the loyalists – if they could prove they left the colonies in service of the British…
Promises kept – Black Loyalists? Black loyalists had to prove service or that they ran away Given old army supplies and clothing Given old/used tools Given fewer food stuffs, fewer general supplies Given materials to build the houses – not always good quality Last priority for land – rocky, acidic, small parcels of land Freedom – but some did submit to slavery in place of starvation
The Ideal…
The Reality – A family on the Hammonds Plains Road
Refugees Ran from war and soldiers If they ran to the British and worked in their service they would be protected
Black Refugees Offered the same protection Got some protections but would be considered last…
Formative: Would you have done it?