1776-1783+American+Revolutionary+War

toc == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =Introduction to the Revolutionary War=

|| =Master Narrative=
 * Who: || Americans and Great Britain ||
 * When: || Early America 1775-1783 ||
 * Where: || The first thirteen states of America from Virginia to Massachusetts and some territories that include Eastern Florida and Quebec.
 * Why: || The goal was to win their freedom from the mother country, Great Britain, and to have the rights to make theri own laws, taxes, and make a national profit from their exports opposed to having their proceeds syphened by the British government. ||

What is it for this particular war?
The war started out as the war for representation in Parliament. The war was fought by the great, white minds of our founding fathers and these founding fathers were the rebels in the whole war. These great white men started one of the greatest countries that history has ever seen.

What does it say about America?
It basically implies that the great leaders and minds that founded this country were all white. They were the only ones smart enough to really be trusted in founding and running the country. They were also portrayed as this tight knit group of superiors fighting of the mother country.

What does it say about African Americans?
The African Americans were fighting during the war and says that the African Americans were good soldiers. They were at times braver than the white soldiers because they had nothing to lose if they were killed. Many slaves ran away to join the fighting but were turned away because of their race. After awhile man power was low and the patriots needed a lot more men on the front lines and so allowed a lot more colored people to enlist into the army and fight along side with the Americans.

Who/What is being fought for?
Americas had just come out of the long nine year French and Indian War. The war ended in 1763. This war, along with the Seven Year War, sent many European empires into massive debts, including the British Empire. The British thought that because the colonies were the place were the war was, they should have to pay back the costs of their war. This created many new laws, taxes, and policies that the colonist did not like because they had no say in Parliament about the unfair treatment of British colonists, who were still British citizens. Many radicals of these ideas held demonstrations in Boston, which led to the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. This forced the occupation of Boston by British regulars and the resentment of them by the colonist. This boils over into an all out war. Once the war hit a certain point, it was no longer a war for representation, but for the colonies freedom. = = = = =Subaltern Narrative=

What challenges were African Americans really facing?
African Americans were still slaves at the time. They thought that maybe this war for independence would be their war for their freedom. However, with so much southern leadership in Congress it did not happen. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owned large plantations and owned many slaves at points in their lives. They were also a point of contention when Lord Dunmore ofVirginia, declared that any slave who made it to British lines, could be part of the Ethiopian Regiment. These men were really used as teamsters, cooks, and other support for British regulars. This tactic was to weaken the cotton and tobacco trade in the south. It was not easy to get to British lines because they were run away slaves.

What were African Americans really doing?
The African Americans were actually very crucial to the turnaround of the war on the Continental side because they were so ready to fight, large in numbers and had nothing to lose. La Marque de Lafayette was one of the youngest generals to serve in history at the age of eighteen. What many fail to mention is that he had an African American spy, by the name of James Armistead, that worked with him in finding out vital information that helped Washington set the stage for the Battle of Yorktown. This was just one noble African American who is given ill credit for his role in the war. The next biggest thing are the roles they played within regiments.

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment, which was raised under Col. Greene, was about 80% black by the time they reach the battle of Yorktown. Their role was crucial in the Battles of Brooklyn, Germantown, Monmouth, and Yorktown as the Rhode Island Regiment. There were also many other units that had African Americans in them. During the Battles of Trenton, Washington was assisted by the Massachusetts Marbleheaders which was a regiment of sailors. Washington calls upon them to help him cross the Deleware to ambush the Hessian army stationed in Trenton. The famous Washington Crossing painting has a couple things wrong with it. First, You should never stand in a boat. Second, It was dark. Third and most important, the rowers were black. They assisted Washington in not only crossing but, he asked them to stay through the first battle in which they were able to flank the Hessians and make them surrender by taking the Assumpink Creek Bridge. Not only did African Americans have a strong effect on the Continental playing field in the infantry but, they were also effective on the opposing side.

The British had also enlisted African Americans in hopes that it would make them an overwhelming force do to the fact that they made up the majority of the population in the colonies. They knew that they would be willing to fight because they had incentive. They were enlisted in Hessian regiments as drummers and infantry men and spread out in other regiments such as the 43rd New Jersey regiment.

What is the story of black women during this war?
During the Revolution, many of the women were generally cooks and caregivers on the field. The black women, however were spies for the Continental forces, giving vital information on the whereabouts of the British army and their status.

What is ironic about this war as it concerns African American soldiers fighting for the United States?
The irony is that the slaves that ran away to join the British army were granted their freedom after the treaty of Paris. The Americans were heated because the treaty suggested that they return to their owners. The British offered compensation but did not allow the freed men to return to slavery. The irony is that although Americans were fighting for independence and wanted everyone treated equal they were still willing to keep the African Americans enslaved while the British were granting them freedom. = Timeline of Important Events = = Concluding Thoughts = There were many African Americans that fought during the war free or not free. At first the Americans were doubtful of them fighting along side with them but after suffering many casualties they decided to let them enlist. The colored soldiers proved themselves in battle often standing their ground when whites would retreat. The Americans send the slaves back to their masters even if they had fought on their side while the British offered freedom for serving with them. The Americans didn’t allow even the colored soldiers who were offered freedom by the British to remain free.
 * 1770 - Crispus Attucks is killed in the Boston Massacre
 * 1775 - Lord Dunmore isssues a Proclamation extending enlistment to slaves and servants
 * 1775 - Black Minutemen fight at Lexington and Concord
 * 1776 - Massachusetts Marbleheaders participate in Battle of Trenton
 * 1776 - Blacks Participate in Battle of Brooklyn Heights
 * 1777 - Blacks are allowed to fight in the Continental Army
 * 1777 - Blacks participate in the Battle of Germantown
 * 1777 - Blacks participate in the Battle of Brandywine Creek
 * 1778 - Blacks participate in the Battle of Monmouth
 * 1778 - 1st Rhode Island Regiment Formed
 * 1778 - 1st Rhode Island Regiment participates in Battle of Rhode Island
 * 1781 - 1st Rhode Island Regiment participate in the victory at Yorktown

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