Do Now:

Term Book Definition I Say

Emancipation Freeing of enslaved African Americans

Patriot Advocate of the colonies’ separation from Great Britain

Loyalist A citizen of the American colonies who remained loyal to the British government during the War for Independence

Directions: Copy the chart, definitions, and complete the “I Say” column

The Revolutionary

War EraLEQ: What Role did African Americans Play in the American Revolution?

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Write LEQ Here!

DO NOT worry about the summary yet.

What Should I Write?

0Look for this guy!

LEQ:

0What Role Did African Americans Play in the American Revolution?

0 African Americans of the 1770’s understood the revolutionary thought of their time. When a large minority of America’s white population demanded independence from Britain on the basis of a natural human right to freedom, many black Americans asserted their right to be liberated from slavery. It took a momentous change in outlook from that of earlier ages for either group to perceive freedom as a right. Just as momentous was the dawning awareness among white people of the contradiction of claiming freedom for themselves and denying it to others.

What is the African American Narrative During this Period?0 African Americans exercised intellectual and political

leadership that had far-ranging implications0 Black writers and scientists emerged, black soldiers fought

in battle; black artisans (craftsmen) proliferated, and black activists publicly argued against enslavement

0 African Americans used the War for Independence to gain their freedom0 Some were Patriots0 Some were Loyalists0 Others used the dislocations of war to escape their masters

We Will Discuss…

0The Crisis of the British Empire0Declaration of Independence0Black Enlightenment0African Americans in the War for Independence

The British Crisis

What was the Crisis of the British Empire?

0The French-Indian War (a.k.a. The Seven Years War)0 Expensive imperial war between France and Britain set

the stage for the colonial independence movement to develop in America

What were the Consequences of the British Victory?

0 Indian nations are no-longer able to play the European powers against each other. They have difficulty resisting white encroachment.

0 British and Colonies are no longer united by a common threat. Bonds weaken.

0 British feel Americans should pay their share of the cost of empire and that American commerce should be more closely regulated

0 Americans were used to self-governance, and felt they no longer needed the British for protection

What British policies in the 1760’s led to rising resentment (anger) and

resistance in the colonies?

0The British Parliament passed a series of laws to limit colonial expansion and raise money. Many Americans considered this oppressive

0The Proclamation Line – forbids American settlements west of the Appalachian Mountain ridge

0Sugar Act 0Stamp Act0Townshend Acts (and quartering of British troops)

What Happened After The British Imposed Its New Policies?

0Resistance to these Acts culminates in the Declaration of Independence, issued by the Continental Congress

0 Boston Massacre 0 Tea Act leads to the Boston Tea Party0 First Continental Congress0 Battle at Lexington and Concord0 Second Continental Congress0 Declaration of Independence

Who was Crispus Attucks?0 Boston Massacre

0 Joined a mob, with clubs and sticks, that harassed a small British detachment.

0 According to accounts, he took the lead in confronting the British troops, and hit a soldier.

0 He was the first to die when soldiers fired into the crowd

0 “First martyr to British oppression” (recognized by Samuel Adams & other Patriots)

0 Symbol of African American Patriotism

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

0“all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Was the Declaration of Independence Written to Include African Americans?

0The DoI was written by men who did not believe that blacks could claim the same rights as white men.

0They did not feel it was necessary to qualify their words.

0Refers to slavery only to accuse the British of rallying African Americans to revolt.

Why weren’t rights extended to African Americans in the Declaration of

Independence?0Because of Southern opposition, the Declaration of

Independence was edited to exclude criticism of the slave trade.0 “cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most

sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of distant [African] people.”

What influence did the ideas of John Locke have on the ideology of the

American Revolution?

0People created government to protect their natural individual rights to life, liberty and private property

0 If a government failed to perform this duty, the people have the right to overthrow it.

0Freedom is a right! The Colonies have a right to freedom!

Does the natural right of “freedom” apply to slaves?

0White Americans say No!0 What contradiction?

0African Americans say Yes! 0 The declaration of universal human rights logically must

include people of all races.

0 In England, those who believed white Americans must submit to British authority pointed out the contradiction0 “How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?”

0 Some white Americans make similar comments0 “with what consistency or decency they complain so loudly of attempts to enslave

them, while they hold so many hundred thoustands in slavery; and anually enslave many thousands more” – Thomas Paine

Freedom, is universal. It applies

to just me!

Who’s bright ideas was it to call this era the “Age of Reason?”

What role did African Americans play in the events and debate that led to the

American Revolution?

01766 slaves marched through Charleston, SC, shouting “liberty!”

0Escaped throughout the revolution0Freedom suits0Petition colonial/state legislatures for gradual

emancipation0Participated in demonstrations against Stamp Act0Crispus Attucks (Boston Massacre)0Black Minutemen (battle of Lexington and concord)