Slavery In The Revolutionary War Essay

Slavery developed into a highly addressed and matter during the Revolutionary era, which resulted from important political figures such as Thomas Paine, and more importantly by the Revolutionary War. As the war began it became clear that in order to obtain victories the British would need to employ uncommon tactics to recruit more soldiers. The British army did this by offering slaves liberty in exchange for their service to the British army. The colonies, however had multiple tactics in gaining more soldiers as well, such as buying the slaves’ freedom or by paying them to fight in the war. Slavery also during the Revolution resulted in individuals beginning to question slavery and whether it was morally acceptable to continue its practice.

One approach by the British to solve their problem was to offer slaves freedom if they rebelled and joined the British Empire. These statements found in Dunmore’s Emancipation Proclamation authored by Lord Dunmore, a royal governor of Virginia, issued in the late 18th century helped the British gain numbers. “And I do hereby further declare all indentured Servants, Negroes, or others, (appertaining to Rebels,) free that are able and willing to bear Arms, they joining His MAJESTY'S Troops as soon as may be, for the more speedily reducing this Colony to a proper Sense of their Duty.” This proclamation used by the British as a way to have slaves rebel against their masters, and instead join the British Empire assisted tremendously. As a result of this proclamation hundreds of slaves had rebelled and left their masters to join the British. ” By the summer of 1776, at least 800 blacks "willing to bear arms" had joined Dunmore's forces now quartered on Gwynn's Island.” This proclamation starts a movement which leads to several hundred slaves joining the British Empire in which helps strengthen the army significantly. Furthermore, this tactic employed by the British further shows how the Revolutionary War affected slavery and slaves