The History Square

What was the role of African Americans in the Revolution, and how were they affected by the outcome?

     About 20% of the population in the colonies during the American Revolution was African American, and about half of those were slaves. Many of the African Americans supported the British in the beginning as they were seen as a source of liberty. In fact many of the slaves had high hopes, as some

Massachusetts

slaves said they expected “great things from men who have made such a noble stand against the designs of their fellow-men to enslave them.” (Brown 257) Of course the Americans saw this as a ‘white mans’ fight for liberty, since they did not consider the fact that blacks were people mattered in the revolution, and this war was a huge disruption to the slave system.

Discuss the problems that the United States experienced under the Confederation government, how they led to the decision to create a new system of government, and how the Constitution differed from the Articles of Confederation.

     After Shays’ Rebellion the states began to realize that a stronger form of government was needed. The states were not only unable to control small rebellions within the states, but they would have little hope of standing together against any sort of foreign attack if one should arise. Not only that, but there was still the threat of Indian attacks along their western border, and that would require a unified treatment.

Boston Tea Party:

After the repealing of the Townshend Acts, the tax on British Tea was left as a way for Britian to show that they still had some control over the colonies. Unfortunately Boston was also suffering economically, which was only further aggravated by troops taking low-paying, off duty jobs.

Common Sense, by Thomas Paine

Written by Thomas Paine in 1776, this document was written for the colonists. Paine hoped to make them understand the need for Revolution. Using many different arguments, such as religion, Paine sought to discredit the Monarchy and its use of family lineage to pass down power through the generations.

Townshend Acts:

Officially called the Townshend Revenue Acts, these were created after the repeal of the Stamp Act. There was not much widespread opposition at first due to the fact that it was a tax (custom) placed on certain external goods (for example: paper, glass, lead, etc.) which had been accepted before. However, it soon became widely perceived as just another way for the British government to get revenue from the colonies which lead to boycotts and protests. The money being raised was to be used to pay for the British Royal Officers stationed in the colonies.

Albany Congress

This was the first attempt made to create a unified colonial government when the delegates of seven colonies got together to form a unified policy for dealing with the French in 1754. Benjamin Frankling suggested a Plan of Union, which would be an organization to deal (an be in charge of) with defense and Indian legislation. Unfortunately the delegates couldn't agree and kept fighting among themselves, ultimately accomplishing nothing.

The Ohio Company

Virginia land speculators were wanting to expand their land holdings along the Ohio River Valley, so they commissioned the Ohio Company to go out and acquire the land. Virginia claimed the land through a charter, but the Iroquois (who no longer lived there) also claimed the land.

The Sons of Liberty: A Short Identification

This group was formed out of workers and tradesmen who were opposed to the Stamp Act in 1765. They saw this as a threat to their political rights and liberty. They were spread throughout the colonies and worked to keep the channels of communication open between the colonies and colonists in the opposition. They planned boycotts and protests, while also writing essays encrouraging the colonists toward a united opposition.

Joseph Brant:

      Joseph Brant was a powerful Mohawk chief that sided with the British during the Revolutionary War. Brant’s Indian name was Thayendanega, which means ‘he places two bets’. His parents were both Mohawk, and his sister went on to marry Sir William Johnson who was the British superintendent of the Northern Indians of America. Sir Johnson was working with the Iroquois and had become quite popular.

Philadelphia Ladies Association:

     During the Revolution there were many groups that contributed to the war effort of the Continental Army. Of all the groups that supported the Army, one of the most influential was the women’s groups. As the war went on and the economic situation worsened, the troops were suffering from lack of supplies and food.