Slaves' freedom during the Revolutionary War?

Question

Why did the slaves fight with British or Americans? I have to write an essay on that topic. Help me please.
Thank you.

Answer 1

http://www.americanrevolution.org/blk.html
has a lot of good info you could probably use.

"By September 1773, the first of Virginia's 250,000 slaves were also trying to get "out of the Colony, particularly to Britain" - so noted John Austin Finnie's advertisement for runaways Bacchus and Amy - "where they imagine they will be free." The king was on their side - or so slaves thought - and against their masters, who feared a British-instigated slave revolt. Following the discovery in November 1774 of slaves conspiring to desert "when the English troops should arrive," James Madison wrote to William Bradford of his conviction that "If america & Britain come to an hostile rupture I am afraid an Insurrection among the slaves may & will be promoted" in an attempt to preserve Virginia for the crown of King George III."

"As black soldiers were becoming a rarity in the British army, their numbers were increasing on the American side. When Congress instructed the states in September 1776 to raise 88 infantry battalions, few African-Americans were left in the Continental Army. Southern opposition had resulted in the exclusion of most black men. However, the realities of war forced Congress and the states to reevaluate their policies.

Despite bonuses and bounties, recruits were slow to sign up. To bring the Continental Army up to strength, Congress ordered the states in January 1777 to fill their units "by drafts, from their militia, or in any other way." As Virginia was unable to meet her quota of 10,200 men with volunteers, a draft based on the existing militia lists had to be considered. The Militia Act of the summer of 1775 had required that "all free male persons, hired servants, and apprentices between the ages of 16 and 50 years . . . be enrolled or forced into companies." This excluded slaves by definition, but free blacks were registered to serve, though "without arms.'"

Are some examples of why: basically for most it probably was about gaining freedom. As Britain has outlawed slavery, they thought they'd be free if Britain won or if they could move there; later Americans saw the utility of that offer as well.

Answer 2

The British offered freedom to the slaves, if they left their masters.
They lied.
The British thought that if they could start a mass desertion of slaves, it would cripple the colonist's economy and the colonist would be forced to surrender. Food would be scarce due to no slaves laboring in the fields, planting, harvesting, etc.
Once the slaves ran away and joined the British, the British forced the slaves to do their laundry, shine boots, cook, care for the horses, etc., didn't pay them, and barely fed them and did not provide shelter for them. This was no different than being a slave.
Some never returned to slavery, some were captured and returned to their owners, others escaped the British and were never heard from again.
As some have stated, the slaves were forced by their owners to be a part of the war. They were expected to attend to their owners needs while on campaigns, as if they were at home.

It's ironic that the slave owners were willing to fight for their freedom from the British, yet saw nothing wrong with denying the enslaved their freedom and actually punishing them for attempting to gain freedom.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Slaves' freedom during the Revolutionary War?
Why did the slaves fight with British or Americans? I have to write an essay on that topic. Help me please.
Thank you.

Answer 4

They had no freedom in the Revolutionary War. They did what their masters told them to do. They did not receive freedom until after the Civil War.

Answer 5

In some cases, they were forced to under threat of death if they didn't. Others were lied to, told they would be freed if they helped.
There are many reasons, even some blacks willfully volunteered to fight.

Answer 6

there forced to