Book Review Of Death Or Liberty By Douglass Egerton

During the American Revolution, the topic of freedom was frequently discussed, however freedom for some was not equal to freedom for all members of the colonies. Those who were enslaved prior to the revolution would not be granted their freedom after independence was won, and the lives of those who were enslaved would continue to be difficult following the war. Death or Liberty by Douglas Egerton describes the challenges faced by Africans who were slaves in America throughout the revolution. The book places an emphasis on the power the colonists had over slaves, and the ways in which slaves worked to limit or mitigate that power in order to fight for their freedom. Throughout the book, Egerton works to describe the life and death of multiple

They even tampered with their master’s weapons to prevent them from being used against them. Slaves who escaped to try to win their freedom inevitably joined together into small groups. This led to multiple insurrections throughout the colonies between these groups and slave owners. In the case of those enslaved by Bowler Cocke, escaping the plantation was not the only goal, they also chose to capture and whip Bowler in the same manner that he had whipped them as punishment. These uprisings were just the beginning of those enacted by the African people against their masters. The uprisings were a physical manifestation of the anger the African people felt from being enslaved and mirrored the anger of the white colonists who were actively fighting for their freedom from the British. As years passed, African slaves were more determined to gain their freedom and secure a place for themselves in the social and political workings of America. As men continued to gain their freedom or run from their masters, they had decisions to make regarding their status in

This led Titus to flee and start fighting for the British to aid in the war against the colonies. Titus became Colonel Tye, and between 1778 and 1780, led a series of attacks on the colonists, where he and his men stole food and supplies in New Jersey, stole cattle from Shrewsberry, and murdered militiaman Joseph Murray. While Tye did die in battle in 1780, his decision to fight against the colonists and gain his freedom by siding with the British shows the level of discontent slaves had toward their masters and the social and political system keeping them enslaved and the determination to do whatever it took to bring about change. Tye was able to make a name for himself and be a leader for others who were also being mistreated by the colonists. His actions show that freedom for enslaved Africans was as important to them as freedom from Britain was to the colonists. It also showcased the hypocrisy of slave owners who fought for freedom in the Revolution while trying to protect their right to enslave others. Following the revolution, many state and local governments were working to provide protections for slave owners regarding illegal liberation of