1. Slaves and The American Revolution

2. Causes of Revolution
Great Britain faced huge war debt after French and Indian war
Heavy taxes placed on colonists
Idea of Mercantilism exploited colonists
Raw materials (cotton, lumber, tobacco) were shipped to Britain
Raw materials processed into finished products and sold
Limits of trading placed on colonies
To prevent further fighting with Natives, colonists prohibited from settling west of Appalachian Mts. (Proclamation of 1763)

3. By suggesting that the Revolution was a war over slavery, Dunmore alienated many neutrals and even some loyalists.
4th Connecticut Regiment, All black regiment served as substitutes for their masters
1st Rhode Island Regiment formed by Washington
Some 5,000 free blacks and slaves served in the Continental Army and some 20,00 served in British Army

4. Battles
free blacks and slaves served in the Continental army during the Revolution.
Bunker Hill
Fort Ticonderoga
Lexington
By 1778, many states, including Virginia, granted freedom to slaves (manumitted) who served in the Revolutionary war others ran away
Great Britain’s Lord Dunmore promised to free those slaves who fought for them and protection was even offered-created Ethiopia’s Regiment

5. Why did slavery continue?
Hypothesis • Southern owners viewed slavery as property no as human beings • Southerners believed it was supported by the Bible • Racism was deeply rooted in early American culture • People believed the Revolution secured the liberty to use property as one wished the institution of slavery benefited the American economy • the Union couldn’t have been formed without Southern support • Northerners didn’t view blacks as equal or human • Slavery wasn’t seen as morally wrong practice • Society believed slavery was a moral responsibility of the white American • The founders feared abolition would hinder the foundation of a unified nation