American Revolution: The Black Loyalists Movement

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At the time of the American Revolution between the years of 1781 and 1784, thirteen New England colonies fought for their freedom from the British government. During this time, many refugees of mainly black descent were forced to flee. Thousands of men and women of mainly African descent joined British forces and came to be known as the Black Loyalists. The term Loyalist in this circumstance pertained to the loyalty of an individual to an established ruler in a face of a revolt or war. The Black loyalist movement thus began in the 1780’s and continued on to the 1820’s. The Black Loyalists were assured by the British, “Liberty to Slaves” and therefore there was a great sense of loyalty for the refugees. This particular term of “Liberty to Slaves”