The American Revolution: Crash Course Black American History #8

Summary

In this episode of *Crash Course Black American History*, Clint Smith explores the complex role of Black people in the American Revolution. Despite the Revolution’s fight for freedom, many Black Americans were excluded from its benefits. Crispus Attucks, a Black man killed in the Boston Massacre, became a symbol of Black patriotism, but the revolution largely overlooked the freedom of Black people. Black soldiers fought for both the American and British sides, hoping to gain freedom, though many faced re-enslavement or were left in vulnerable positions after the war. The episode reveals the deep contradictions between the revolutionary ideals and the realities for Black Americans.

Takeaways

• 😀 Black people played a significant role in the American Revolution, with many serving in both the American and British forces, despite the Revolution primarily benefiting white Americans.
• 😀 Crispus Attucks, a Black man of African and Native American descent, became the first person killed during the American Revolution, symbolizing Black patriotism and sacrifice.
• 😀 There were different accounts of how Crispus Attucks died during the Boston Massacre, either as an innocent bystander or an active participant in the altercation.
• 😀 John Adams, future president, referred to Attucks in a dehumanizing way, reflecting the longstanding racist attitudes that justified violence against Black people.
• 😀 Black soldiers in the American Revolution fought not only for independence but for freedom, hoping to prove their worthiness of liberty.
• 😀 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation in 1775 offered freedom to enslaved Black people who fought for the British, leading to the formation of the Ethiopian Regiment, which symbolized a significant challenge to slavery.
• 😀 Rhode Island created a regiment of free and enslaved Black people in 1778, offering freedom in exchange for military service, reflecting how the Revolution created opportunities for Black freedom.
• 😀 Many Black soldiers chose which side to fight for based on the best chance for freedom, with allegiance to a side often being secondary to the hope of emancipation.
• 😀 The idea of military service as a path to freedom for Black people persisted throughout American history, illustrating the complex relationship between Black Americans and wartime service.
• 😀 Despite the sacrifices made by Black people in the Revolutionary War, the end of the war did not lead to widespread freedom for Black Americans, and many were re-enslaved or resold into slavery in other British colonies.

Q & A

What was the primary irony behind the American Revolution for Black people?

The irony lies in the fact that the Revolution, which was fought for 'freedom' and 'unalienable rights,' largely excluded Black people from its benefits. While the colonists sought freedom from Great Britain, their fight did not include the freedom of enslaved Black people.

How did the American Revolution provide opportunities for enslaved Black people to gain freedom?

Enslaved Black people had the opportunity to gain freedom by either fighting for the Americans or the British. Some Black people fought with the Americans in hopes of convincing enslavers that they were worthy of rights, while others joined the British, as the British promised freedom to enslaved people who fought for them.

How many Black people are estimated to have fought in the American Revolution, and which side did most of them choose?

Between 5,000 and 8,000 Black soldiers fought for the American side, but a significantly higher number, around 20,000, fought for the British. Many Black people chose the British side due to the promise of emancipation.

Who was Crispus Attucks, and why is he significant in the context of the American Revolution?

Crispus Attucks was a Black man of African and Native American descent who became the first person killed during the Boston Massacre in 1770. His death was a pivotal moment that fueled the American Revolution, and he became a symbol of Black patriotism and sacrifice.

What are the two main versions of the events surrounding Crispus Attucks' death?

The first version, according to Samuel Adams, claims that Attucks was shot while merely leaning on his stick and posed no threat. The second version, from an enslaved eyewitness, suggests that Attucks was actively involved in the altercation, striking at least two soldiers before being killed.

What was Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, and how did it impact Black Americans during the Revolution?

Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, issued in 1775, promised freedom to enslaved Black people who escaped their enslavers and fought for the British. This announcement led many enslaved people to join the British Army, forming units like the Ethiopian Regiment, although some of them were later re-enslaved or sold into slavery in other British colonies.

What role did Black soldiers play in the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Black soldiers, including Peter Salem, Salem Poor, and others, played a significant role in the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, despite the American forces losing the battle. Their participation showed that Black soldiers were crucial to the Revolution, even though their involvement was not always guaranteed or appreciated.

How did George Washington's stance on Black soldiers change during the Revolution?

Initially, George Washington did not allow Black men to serve in the military, fearing the implications of arming enslaved people. However, as the war intensified and the need for soldiers grew, he reversed this stance and allowed Black men to enlist, especially after the British began promising freedom to enslaved Black people who fought for them.

Why did many Black people during the Revolution choose to fight for the British rather than the Americans?

Many Black people chose to fight for the British because of the promise of freedom. In contrast, the American colonists were largely fighting for their own freedom, which did not extend to enslaved Black people. The British, however, offered emancipation to those who joined their forces, making them a more appealing option for Black people seeking freedom.

What happened to Black people who fought for the British after the American Revolution?

After the Revolution, many Black people who had fought for the British were left vulnerable. Some were resettled in places like Canada, Jamaica, and Sierra Leone, but many were re-enslaved or sold into slavery in other British colonies, despite promises of freedom.