Allegiance
· America initially denied black soldiers, free or enslaved
· They were offered freedom by the British; if they fought against their former masters
· Decent incentive to join military; as later on both sides offered freedom
· More went over to the British but 20% of the American troops were black
· Many of them saw the American revolution as a promise of freedom (not realized)
· Took sides, not being Rebels, neutral or Loyalist in any entirety
· Overall, the African slave and free population leaned more toward Britain
Effects on the war and from the war
· Around 5,000 fought on the American side, and 20,000 on the British side
· Had a lot to gain in fighting, mainly freedom
· Bolstered troops of both armies, made armies more diverse
· Despite fighting for freedom, many were still denied it
· Many plantation owners feared slave revolts
· British exploited this fear, using it to panic the slave owners
· Overall, slaves gained little from the war, other than some who were freed by fighting in the army
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Group Members: AS and MK
18 comments:
Many fought really hard towards freedom and joined both sides to obtain it. However, i can't believe how little of a benefit they recieved. Many African Americans didn't get freedom even though they risked their lives for the a certain country. And this was more so for those who fought for the American side because slavery still did continue and some, they were denied their freedoms.
I find it ineresting that the Americans (in the beginning) felt unprepared and had a shortage of men to fight for the American cause, yet they denied the enterance of Black soldiers. I understand that because they were prejudiced at the time, they may have felt that the African Americans were undeserving to fight along side them.
Also, I found it ineresting that the African American slaves, free or not free (runaways) felt that the British could secure their freedom. I mean, if the British had won, then the slaves could have been freed, but what if the British lost? How could they then be freed?
Also, I wonder when Americans started allowing the Africans americans to fight on their side. Was it toward the beginning, middle, end, and what finally made them feel it was necessary to recruit African Americans?
Well, it's sort of interesting if you think about it. Slaves were joining the British in hopes of freedom, and we were fighting the British for freedom. Still, many did join the American side when certain states began accepting them, also in hope of freedom. The sad part is that many didn't see that dream realized through the war. But at a time when America had little men, it might have tipped the war, just having a couple thousand join, instead of all of them going to the British.
To me, it was interesting how both the slaves and the colonists were fighting for essentially the same principle, yet they were, for the most part, on different sides of the war. Both the slaves and the colonists wanted independence and freedom. It is unfortunate that most slaves were denied their freedom after the war, even the ones who fought alongside the Patriots. It was very hypocritical of the colonists to fight in a war for liberty, but not allow the slaves to be free as well.
I find it ironic that African Americans fought in unsegregated units during the Revolutionary War, a war fought for freedom and American independence from Great Britain, while there weren't any unsegregated units until the Korean War. Even in the Civil War, blacks were denied most opportunities to fight alongside their white counterparts for their freedom.
I think the African American slaves chose to go to the British side instead of escaping to the North to join the American side because they would have more control over their lives. If they had escaped to the North, they would constantly be looking over their backs because they're a fugitive slave and therefore wanted. However, if they'd join the British side, they'd be guaranteed more protection and wouldn't be looked down upon as much; slavery was outlawed in Great Britain during that time.
I find this unfair that the slaves who fought as hard as the Americans for their freedom did not receive what they had been previously promised. On the other hand, I dont understand why the Americans hadn't allowed the black slaves to joing their troops. If they have had done so then they would have had a greater advantage.
I think it's extremely unfair that the slaves in the war never recieved their rewards for joining.Also, why did the slaves think that the British would be the answer to their freedom?
slaves had an unfair and extremly ironic life. they fought to keep themselves in slavery unknowingly, and they joiined both sides. They must have bee ill informed and told false tales of freedom.
The African American slaves got manipulated by both sides. I think some of them realized that too. The things was, they still fought for either side because it was still better than the alternative--being slaves all their lives under the whip and having children who would become slaves as well. By fighting, there was a chance at freedom, like the outline said. Unfortunately, that didn't really happen...
I think it's ironic that the slaves where fighting to gain independence from the colonists and we were trying to gain independence from Britain. I personally think the slaves would have been taken advantage of either way because they would either be slaves for America or for the British because they really had no say, as they were a minorty. Therefore, i believe they just had to pick which side would be more just and had good hopes for the africans.
I'm pretty sure this was just a lose-lose situation for the African Americans. If they fight for the British they have to escape their masters with no guarantee of victory... If they fight with the colonists, they might not win either, and if they do, they might not get their freedom.
Some did while fighting for each side, but those were the lucky minority. It sucked to be a slave, but that's already kind of obvious.
The situation of slaves is pretty bad throughout US history, and this is no exception. Slaves put their lives on the line for freedom, and some never got what they were promised. That is simply morally crushing. After experiencing the atrocities of war, fighting valiantly, putting up with inferior treatment they still got betrayed by not being given what they were promised.
I can't believe that any African Americans would fight for American causes after their freedoms and rights as human beings had been so violated. I also think it's ironic that the African Americans were fighting with Britain against America for freedom while America was fighting against Britain for their own.
African American troops were excluded in the beginning because Plantation owners didn't want all of their slave running off and joining the army. While there was of course racism, economics were also a huge part, as the southern economy would swiftly collapse if slaves dissappeared too quickly, much as after the Civil War.
Like women, African Americans are severely unappreciated for their efforts in the American Revolution. Although many of them fought on the side of the British, that is very understandable. For years they suffered at the hands of American plantation owners, and although the slave trade has European roots, its only natural for them to have felt anger towards their abusive masters. Even though African Americans fought alongside the Patriots valiantly and bravely, their offspring, their brothers, and their sisters, were still subjected to the cruelties of slavery. That is truly unjust.
I think that it is interesting how slaves were fighting for freedom, both on the British and American side of the war. If only the slaves had known that the abolishment of slavery had been purposefully taken out of the Declaration of Independence, they probably would have fought on the side of the British, and might have had enough power to turn the tide of the war.
This war wasn't really beneficial to any parties except the patriots. The slaves weren't generally granted freedom for service as they were promised. I don't get how the British had 20,000 blacks on their side as compared to the Amricans' 5,000 and they still couldn't just manhandle the american rebels. (they also had thousands of hessians and NA's to aid them.)
I find it very surprising how after America began allowing slaves to join the army, the African American population made up a whopping 20% of U.S. troops. That kind of puts in perspective just how many slaves there were at this time. It also sounds like African Americans played a major role in the fighting on both sides, but once again in American history, they were screwed over when it came down to their repayment. I can't believe the slaves that fought in the revolution weren't immediately freed after we won. It goes against the whole ideals of the foundation of our country.
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