During the revolutionary era, 1750-1800, tensions were at an all-time high between the colonists and Great Britain. Within the thirteen colonies, the tensions between white and black Americans had been present for many years. Throughout the revolutionary era, African Americans faced many hardships, including: abuse on the plantations, fighting in the war, and attempting to gain freedom. Slave owners often abused their slaves, especially when they tried to run away. Slaves would run away to escape the harsh conditions of the plantation, or leave to visit family members that they have been separated from. When plantation owners realized their slaves were missing, they would put advertisements in newspapers offering rewards. Landon Carter , a slave owner recorded how he managed his slaves, when they ran away, they would be punished once they returned. In the 1700’s, slaves were considered property of their owners. During the revolutionary war, the north started to become desperate for soldiers. Unfortunately, General Washington opposed African Americans from fighting in the war, but then needed soldiers and decided to allow slaves to enlist for freedom . Black Americans offered to join American troops, as well as British troops in the war to …show more content…
For example, in Massachusetts, sometimes free black men were not allowed to vote. The discrimination and abuse was so strong that many created religious and civic organizations to cope together. Black Americans each had their own ways of fighting for the freedom they deserved. Such as Susan Sedgwick, she was born a slave and sued for her freedom using the fact that the Massachusetts constitution stated that “all men are born free and equal.” Others went in a different direction, William C. Nell thought that he had a better chance of getting slavery abolished if he proved that black Americans contributed to the founding of the