1. Struggle for Independence

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. The death of Crispus Attucks in the Boston Massacre.

6. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. The Patriots of African Descent Monument
The Patriots of African Descent Monument was erected at Valley Forge National Historical Park in 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.

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

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