Slaves and Free Blacks in the American Revolution

Slaves and Free Blacks in the Revolutionary War

• Slaves and free blacks played a significant role in the Revolutionary War, with an estimated 5,000-8,000 directly participating.
• The mention of slaves and free blacks is often omitted in history books due to the complex and controversial nature of their involvement.

General George Washington's Decision

• General George Washington initially prohibited slaves and free blacks from enlisting in the army, later reversing this decision due to manpower shortages.

Free Blacks in the American Colonies

• Free blacks were individuals who had been freed or were born free, living in the American Colonies; they were not indentured servants.

Participation in the Revolutionary War

• Free blacks and slaves fought in the American Revolution, with some serving as valuable members of their society, particularly in the Northern Colonies.

Economic Foundation of the Southern Colonies

• The primary economic foundation of the Southern Colonies during the American Revolution was slavery and agriculture.

Unease in the Southern Colonies

• The Southern Colonies were uneasy about the idea of slaves and free blacks fighting in the American Revolution due to fears of slave uprisings and loss of property.

Significant Roles Played

• Free blacks and slaves played a significant role in the American Revolution, serving as soldiers, sailors, and spies.

Valuable Members of Society

• Free blacks were more likely to fight in the American Revolution as valuable members of their society in the Northern Colonies.

Motivations and Fates

• Some slave owners offered the services of their slaves to fight in the American Revolution in exchange for their freedom.
• Many slaves were motivated to participate in the American Revolution by the promise of freedom.
• A common fate for many slaves after the American Revolution was to remain enslaved, despite promises of freedom.

British Soldiers' Response

• British soldiers responded to slaves attempting to board their boats to escape after the war by capturing and returning them to their owners.

General George Washington's Stance

• General George Washington later supported the enlistment of slaves and free blacks in the army during the American Revolution.

Slavery in the United States

• Slavery as an institution in the United States dates back to the 17th century.

Regional Variations

• The decision to allow free blacks and slaves to participate in the American Revolution varied across different regions, with some regions being more open to their involvement.

Primary Reason for Hesitation

• The primary reason some Southern Colonies were hesitant about allowing slaves and free blacks to participate in the Revolutionary War was the fear of slave uprisings.

Prohibition on Enlistment

• General George Washington specifically prohibited women, Quakers, and Native Americans from enlisting in the army or volunteering for the militia during the American Revolution.

Crispus Attucks

• Crispus Attucks, known for his involvement in the Boston Massacre, represents a rare mention of African-Americans' contributions to the Revolutionary War.

Primary Reason for Reluctance

• The primary reason why Southern Colonies were reluctant to allow slaves to participate in the American Revolution was the fear of losing property and control.

Region with Higher Concentration

• The Northern Colonies had a higher concentration of free blacks fighting in the American Revolution as valuable members of society.

Common Role

• A common role for both slaves and free blacks in the American Revolution was serving as soldiers, sailors, and spies.

Joining the British Side

• Some slaves chose to join the British side during the American Revolution, hoping to gain freedom by fighting against their American colonial masters.

Significant Risk

• A significant risk faced by slaves trying to escape by boarding British boats after the war was being captured and returned to their owners.

Notable Consequence

• A notable consequence for some slaves who chose to run away from their masters during the American Revolution was being captured and sold to plantation owners in the West Indies.

The 'Ethiopian Regiment'

• British authorities enlisted a regiment named the 'Ethiopian Regiment' consisting of runaway slaves in the region of Virginia.

Colonel Tye

• Colonel Tye was a prominent African-American leader who fought alongside the British in the American Revolution.