Black Patriots and Loyalists
Black Patriots and Loyalists
A surprising look at the roles of African Americans in the Revolutionary War: âAn elegant and passionate writer, Alan Gilbert pulls no punches.ââHistorian We think of the American Revolution as the war for independence from British col...
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A surprising look at the roles of African Americans in the Revolutionary War: âAn elegant and passionate writer, Alan Gilbert pulls no punches.ââHistorian We think of the American Revolution as the war for independence from British colonial rule. But, of course, that independence actually applied to only a portion of the American populationâAfrican Americans would still be bound in slavery for nearly another century. Drawing on first-person accounts and primary sources, Alan Gilbert asks us to rethink what we know about the Revolutionary War, to realize that while white Americans were fighting for their freedom, many black Americans were joining the British imperial forces to gain theirs. Further, a movement led by sailorsâboth black and whiteâpushed strongly for emancipation on the American side. There were actually two wars being waged at once: a political revolution for independence from Britain, and a social revolution for emancipation and equalityâplanting the seeds for future freedom. âThe personal stories of those who fought on the patriotsâ side in an all-black regiment and on the loyalist side in exchange for a promise of freedom are fascinating and informative.ââBooklist
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