The Untold Heroes: African American Patriotism In The American Revolution

The American Revolution is often hailed as a momentous event marking the birth of a nation founded on principles of freedom, liberty, and equality. It was a time when brave men and women fought tooth and nail for the right to self-govern. In our history books, however, the contributions of African Americans in this fight for independence are often overlooked or overshadowed. It is time to shed light on their patriotism, bravery, and sacrifices that have gone unnoticed for far too long.

1. The Fight For Freedom

African Americans played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Despite being denied their own freedom, they were keenly aware of the underlying principles of the Revolution and yearned for the same liberties. Many enlisted in both the Continental Army and the British Army, hoping to secure their own freedom or the freedom of their loved ones.

During the initial years of the Revolution, African Americans were often barred from joining the Continental Army due to discriminatory practices. However, as the desperate need for manpower grew, General George Washington reversed this policy in 1777, allowing African Americans to serve. Thousands of African Americans willingly put their lives on the line, fighting for a cause that promised to one day free them from the shackles of slavery.

AFRICAN AMERICAN PATRIOTISM IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: A COMPLETE HISTORY

by Noah Lewis (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1270 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	262 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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2. Heroes on the Battlefield

One of the most notable African American figures during the Revolution was Crispus Attucks. He became the first martyr of the American Revolution when he was killed during the Boston Massacre in 1770. Attucks' sacrifice galvanized the colonists and served as a rallying cry for justice.

Another valiant figure was Peter Salem, an enslaved African American who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Salem's actions played a vital role in the American victory, as he shot and killed British Major John Pitcairn, a pivotal moment in the battle.

There were countless other unsung heroes. Men like James Armistead Lafayette, an enslaved African American spy who provided vital intelligence to the Continental Army, and Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to join the Continental Army and fought in several skirmishes.

3. The African American Experience

Life as an African American soldier during the Revolution was rife with challenges. Although they fought alongside white soldiers, they often faced discrimination, unequal pay, and limited opportunities for advancement. Despite these obstacles, African American soldiers displayed unwavering dedication and bravery in their fight for freedom.

At the end of the war, their contributions were often overlooked and overshadowed. Some states even legislated laws that prevented African Americans from accessing their revolutionary war pensions. These injustices served as a painful reminder that true equality was still a distant dream for African Americans.

4. The Legacy of African American Patriotism

The American Revolution was a turning point in the fight against slavery and paved the way for the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States. The bravery and patriotism displayed by African American soldiers during this time played a significant role in shaping the narrative of equality and freedom for all.

Their sacrifices were not in vain. The African American soldiers who fought and died during the Revolution paved the way for future generations to press on in their fight for civil rights and true equality. They laid the foundation upon which leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks would later build their movements.

5. Celebrating Forgotten Heroes

It is imperative that we recognize and celebrate the contributions of African American soldiers in the American Revolution. Their stories deserve to be heard, their bravery acknowledged, and their sacrifices commemorated. By shining a light on their often-forgotten heroism, we honor their legacy and ensure that their place in history is rightly preserved.

African American patriotism in the American Revolution is a story that must be told and retold. The fight for freedom and equality was not limited to a single race; it involved men and women from diverse backgrounds. Together, they fought for a vision of a nation that embraced the principles of liberty and justice for all.

Let us remember and honor the African American soldiers who fought alongside their white counterparts in the struggle for American independence. Their courage and resolve in the face of adversity symbolize the true spirit of patriotism, an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations to come.

AFRICAN AMERICAN PATRIOTISM IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: A COMPLETE HISTORY

by Noah Lewis (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1270 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	262 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

AFRICAN AMERICAN PATRIOTISM IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: A COMPLETE HISTORY.

THIS BOOK CONSISTS OF THE COMPLETE VERSIONS OF THE TWO FOLLOWING TITLES:

THE COLORED PATRIOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WITH SKETCHES OF SEVERAL DISTINGUISHED COLORED PERSONS: TO WHICH IS ADDED A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE Condition and Prospects of Colored Americans. By WM. C. NELL. WITH AN BY
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. ©1855.
____________________________________________________

THE NARRATIVE OF JAMES ROBERTS, A SOLDIER UNDER GEN. WASHINGTON IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, AND UNDER GEN. JACKSON AT THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THE WAR OF 1812: "A BATTLE WHICH COST ME A LIMB, SOME BLOOD, AND ALMOST MY LIFE."
by JAMES ROBERTS © 1858. ____________________________________________________

THE colored race have been generally considered by their enemies, and sometimes even by their friends, as deficient in energy and courage. Their virtues have been supposed to be principally negative ones. This little collection of interesting incidents, made by a colored man, will redeem the character of the race from this misconception, and show how much injustice there may often be in a generally admitted idea.
In considering the services of the Colored Patriots of the Revolution, we are to reflect upon them as far more magnanimous, because rendered to a nation which did not acknowledge them as citizens and equals, and in whose interests and prosperity they had less at stake. It was not for their own land they fought, not even for a land which had adopted them, but for a land which had enslaved them, and whose laws, even in freedom, oftener oppressed than protected. Bravery, under such circumstances, has a peculiar beauty and merit.