Summary
Highlights
African Americans played a crucial role throughout the American Revolution, from the initial shots at Lexington and Concord to the siege at Yorktown. They faced prejudice and racism, with many fighting for both national independence and their own freedom, as slavery was still present in all colonies. It's estimated that 5,000 to 8,000 African Americans fought for the American cause, while 20,000 to 30,000 fought for the British.
Before the war, African Americans were active in protesting British rule. Crispus Attucks, of Native American and African descent, is considered by many historians to be the first casualty of the American Revolution, falling at the Boston Massacre in 1770. At Lexington and Concord, African Americans fought alongside other colonists. Peter Salem, an enslaved man granted freedom to enlist in the Massachusetts militia, fought at Concord, the siege of Boston, and Bunker Hill. Salem Poor, born into slavery and later purchasing his freedom, also distinguished himself at Bunker Hill, where his bravery was recognized in a petition by 14 officers.
Initially, George Washington, a slave holder, denied African Americans from serving in the Continental Army. However, the British offered freedom to any African American who served in their army, leading many enslaved people to join the British side. This prompted Washington to reverse his policy, allowing African Americans to fight for the Continental Army. James Armstead Lafayette served as a double agent, posing as an enslaved person for the British while passing vital intelligence to the Marquis de Lafayette and giving inaccurate information to the British.
During the Revolution, African Americans and white soldiers served together in integrated regiments, though African American soldiers were often in their own companies within a regiment. The First Rhode Island Regiment, formed in 1778, was a notable integrated unit with 140 African American men out of 225. These men, many of whom were enslaved in Rhode Island, were offered freedom after the war. The regiment saw action in numerous battles, including the siege of Yorktown, which effectively ended the war.
After the war, many African Americans who fought for the British were forced to resettle in Canada. In the newly formed United States, many northern states outlawed slavery but did not grant full equality to African Americans. Southern states, however, intensified their commitment to slavery, especially after the invention of the cotton gin made it highly profitable. Despite their sacrifice and bravery that impacted the war's outcome, African Americans were denied full equality, marking a significant disparity in the nation's promise of freedom.