American Revolution, African Americans

500,000 enslaved African Americans lived in the colonies in 1776. The Revolution brought the hope of freedom for many as the British offered them a chance at freedom in exchange for running away from their enslavers and joining the British cause. At great risk, thousands of enslaved Africans served the British as spies, soldiers, chefs, and other jobs hoping for freedom.

It is estimated 5,000-8,000 African Americans fought for the Patriots. Peter Salem was born enslaved in Framingham, MA. With the promise of freedom, Salem became a Minuteman, joining the Patriot army and fighting heroically in the Battle of Lexington Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill in Boston in 1775 among others. He served in the army until 1780.

Phyllis Wheatley, an enslaved woman in Boston, MA, was also an acclaimed writer. She was one of the first enslaved authors to be published. One of her poems honored George Washington and was famous for inspiring Patriots not to lose hope in their cause.

African Americans served as spies as well. James Armistead was an enslaved man in Virginia who assisted the Marquis de Lafayette. Working as a double-agent, he gave valuable intel to the Americans and misleading information to the British who trusted him. His information led to victory at the Battle of Yorktown. Armistead was forced to return to slavery and petitioned for his freedom. Lafayette wrote a letter to Congress and Armistead was granted freedom in 1787.

ON THE HOMEFRONT

ON THE BATTLEFIELD

SERVING AS SPIES

500,000 enslaved African Americans lived in the colonies in 1776. The Revolution brought the hope of freedom for many as the British offered them a chance at freedom in exchange for running away from their enslavers and joining the British cause. At great risk, thousands of enslaved Africans served the British as spies, soldiers, chefs, and other jobs hoping for freedom.

It is estimated 5,000-8,000 African Americans fought for the Patriots. Peter Salem was born enslaved in Framingham, MA. With the promise of freedom, Salem became a Minuteman, joining the Patriot army and fighting heroically in the Battle of Lexington Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill in Boston in 1775 among others. He served in the army until 1780.

Phyllis Wheatley, an enslaved woman in Boston, MA, was also an acclaimed writer. She was one of the first enslaved authors to be published. One of her poems honored George Washington and was famous for inspiring Patriots not to lose hope in their cause.

African Americans served as spies as well. James Armistead was an enslaved man in Virginia who assisted the Marquis de Lafayette. Working as a double-agent, he gave valuable intel to the Americans and misleading information to the British who trusted him. His information led to victory at the Battle of Yorktown. Armistead was forced to return to slavery and petitioned for his freedom. Lafayette wrote a letter to Congress and Armistead was granted freedom in 1787.

ON THE HOMEFRONT

ON THE BATTLEFIELD

SERVING AS SPIES

500,000 enslaved African Americans lived in the colonies in 1776. The Revolution brought the hope of freedom for many as the British offered them a chance at freedom in exchange for running away from their enslavers and joining the British cause. At great risk, thousands of enslaved Africans served the British as spies, soldiers, chefs, and other jobs hoping for freedom.

It is estimated 5,000-8,000 African Americans fought for the Patriots. Peter Salem was born enslaved in Framingham, MA. With the promise of freedom, Salem became a Minuteman, joining the Patriot army and fighting heroically in the Battle of Lexington Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill in Boston in 1775 among others. He served in the army until 1780.

Phyllis Wheatley, an enslaved woman in Boston, MA, was also an acclaimed writer. She was one of the first enslaved authors to be published. One of her poems honored George Washington and was famous for inspiring Patriots not to lose hope in their cause.

African Americans served as spies as well. James Armistead was an enslaved man in Virginia who assisted the Marquis de Lafayette. Working as a double-agent, he gave valuable intel to the Americans and misleading information to the British who trusted him. His information led to victory at the Battle of Yorktown. Armistead was forced to return to slavery and petitioned for his freedom. Lafayette wrote a letter to Congress and Armistead was granted freedom in 1787.

ON THE HOMEFRONT

ON THE BATTLEFIELD

SERVING AS SPIES