American Revolution, African Americans
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Revolutionary War History
Lesson Plans by Liane Hicks
The American Revolution was a war waged by the 13 American Colonies to overthrow British rule and become an independent nation. Historians agree that it began with the “shot heard round the world” in the battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 and officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The end result was a new nation and a new form of government that inspired the creation of democracies around the world.
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Storyboard Description
There are many unsung heroes of the American Revolution including African Americans who served heroically on the battlefield and as valuable spies. When studying history it is important to see events and time periods from many different viewpoints, especially those that have historically been left out and marginalized.
Storyboard Text
- AFRICAN AMERICANS
- ON THE HOMEFRONT
- ON THE BATTLEFIELD
- COMMUNICATING TO THE PUBLIC
- Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side,Thy ev'ry action let the Goddess guide.A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! Be thine.
- SERVING AS SPIES
- 500,000 enslaved African Americans lived in the colonies in 1776. The Revolution brought the hope of freedom for many as the British offered them a chance at freedom in exchange for running away from their enslavers and joining the British cause. At great risk, thousands of enslaved Africans served the British as spies, soldiers, chefs, and other jobs hoping for freedom.
- It is estimated 5,000-8,000 African Americans fought for the Patriots. Peter Salem was born enslaved in Framingham, MA. With the promise of freedom, Salem became a Minuteman, joining the Patriot army and fighting heroically in the Battle of Lexington Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill in Boston in 1775 among others. He served in the army until 1780.
- Phyllis Wheatley, an enslaved woman in Boston, MA, was also an acclaimed writer. She was one of the first enslaved authors to be published. One of her poems honored George Washington and was famous for inspiring Patriots not to lose hope in their cause.
- African Americans served as spies as well. James Armistead was an enslaved man in Virginia who assisted the Marquis de Lafayette. Working as a double-agent, he gave valuable intel to the Americans and misleading information to the British who trusted him. His information led to victory at the Battle of Yorktown. Armistead was forced to return to slavery and petitioned for his freedom. Lafayette wrote a letter to Congress and Armistead was granted freedom in 1787.
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