T6+-+6.4B

T6 - 6.4B Michela Palma, Anna Dirda, Angela Lavrisiuk (African Americans Joining the Fight)

**From Slaves to Heroes ** Boston 1777 

“All men are created equal,” said Thomas Jefferson. This Statement applies with the recent events taking place in the colonies and in Britain. African American slaves have been allowed to fight on Britain’s side. Lord Dunmore promised freedom to the slaves if they fought, were spies and did work. George Washington will now let our slaves fight with us. But after the decision of Lord Dunmore he could use all the help he could get. Hopefully now we can earn our freedom from Britain with the help of African Americans. The slaves will now have hard choices to make if they want to enter the war and maybe earn freedom or stay as a slave.  A number of events that you know have taken place have led up to this horrible war we are in. Lord Dunmore allowed slaves to fight in 1775 for the war. Bunker Hill and Lexington and Conard in 1775 had African Americans involved. These events showed how African Americans can help in the war. Every day African Americans helped out with whatever they could. The British had done many things, but nothing was as bad as the American Revolution. George Washington, on the American side, knew that the blacks fought in Lexington & Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill, but he did not want the blacks in the war with them. He set up a law to prevent the blacks from entering the war. The law though, was ignored. Many blacks still entered into the Revolution. His was mostly because of the governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore. Lord Dunmore persuaded the blacks with freedom. This way, the blacks would join the war. When Washington was short of men, he then took the law away and started enlisting the blacks. This also included the slaves. The American Revolution is the war between the Americans and the British. This war has many problems with the blacks and slaves. The blacks and slaves were originally not allowed to participate. Washington, the American leader, didn’t allow blacks to fight in the beginning. Lord Dunmore, the governor of Virginia, was enlisting blacks. These blacks were told that they would receive freedom if they would join. Many of the blacks, including slaves, started to enlist for freedom.

There are many unsung heroes on both sides that are fighting now. Some of these heroes are Prince Eastbrooks who fought in the battle of Lexington, Salem Poor who got the title of brave soldier in the battle of Bunker Hill, James Armistead who is a double spy, and many more. Some heroes on Britain’s side were Titus Cornelius a military leader who assassinates patriot leaders, Boston King who is in Cornwallis’s troop, Colonel Tye who is a founder of the guerilla unit, and more. They wouldn’t have fought though if Lord Dunmore and George Washington hadn’t let them fight in the patriot and loyalist army. Most of the African Americans in the War fought for their freedom, and rights. Rights such as being treated as equals. "The colonists are by the law of nature free born,as indeed all men are, white or black."{Qouted by James Otis}This war has brought out new messages to everyone. Messages to fight for what you believe in a message that all men should be treated the same. This battle is bringing hope to everyone. Nothing will be the same as it was. A revolution has begun. Reported by Anna Dirda, Angela Lavrisiuk, and Michela Palma Mrs.Tyrrell 6th period