1. Dunmore’s Proclamation
America’s Largest Slave Revolt

2. Presentation Overview (Objectives)
Why did the colonists seek to be independent?
Slavery in 1775
What did John Murray (Lord Dunmore) propose to end the rebellion in Virginia?
Dunmore’s Proclamation

3. Why did some Americans seek to break with Great Britain?
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Quick Timeline

4. Statistics of Slavery in 1775
20%-30% of Colonial Population African
Every colony had legalized slavery
500,000 slaves
8% free
1/2 of enslaved in Virginia & Maryland
tobacco plantations

5. Conditions in Virginia
Colonists creating armies
John Murray (Earl of Dunmore) - governor of Virginia
fled to British ship after gunpowder stolen
Seeks to put end to fighting
needs troops (troops in Boston surrounded)

6. What does John Murray (Lord Dunmore) propose in order to bring an end to the rebellion in Virginia?

7. Proclamation Vocabulary
Proclamation - official, public announcement
Martial law - military now in charge of government
Treason - crime of betraying one’s own country; usually punishable by death
quitrent - land tax paid to the British government

8. Dunmore’s Proclamation
November 15, Issues proclamation
For those colonists supporting Patriot cause...
Slaves & indentured servants granted freedom if they join British army
Patriots = traitor

9. Effects of Proclamation
Virginians outraged!
Many join Patriot cause
Growing fear of slave rebellion

10. "We've got to contain Dunmore, or this will become like a snowball."
George Washington
20,000 African Americans served for the British Empire
9,000 served in the Continental Army

11. Effects of Proclamation(cont.)
Largest slave rebellion in history
Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment ( )
1000s of slaves gain freedom - number uncertain
Several hundred settle in Nova Scotia after war

12. Black soldiers in Dunmore's Royal Ethiopian Regiment had "Liberty to Slaves" embroidered on their uniforms.