Today we will… Discuss the roles of women and

African-Americans in the American Revolution

Packet from the table

PERIODS 2, 4, and 8 Study for States Test (last day – Thursday 11/6)

BELL WORK1) Colonists who favored war against Britain were called ___.2) American colonists who remained loyal to Britain were known

as ___.3) The first major battle of the American Revolution was fought

at ___ ___. This is where the British advanced three times before finally capturing the ground. Americans fought bravely here.

4) Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called __ __, which told colonists to break away from Britain.

5) The ___ of ___ consisted of three parts (Natural Rights, British Wrongs, and Independence). It was adopted on ___ ___, 1776.

6) Early on December 26, 1776 Americans surprised Hessian troops and took them prisoner at the Battle of ___.

7) After the Battle of Saratoga, ____ signed a treaty with America, promising to provide us with aid against the British.

8) During the winter of 1777-1778, George Washington’s Continental Army suffered some hardships at their camp at ____ ____.

On the back of your PACKET

1) Thomas Jefferson wrote the words, “All Men Are Created Equal” at a time when he owned 250 people.

What are your thoughts on this CONTRADICTION? 3 (bullet points)

On the back of your PACKET

2) What dilemmas (OR ISSUES) do you think African Americans AND Women specifically faced at the start of the American Revolution?

3 (bullet points each)

Introduction

Many African Americans believed that the idea of liberty applied to them just as it did to whites.

Many Americans worked for liberty during the American Revolution: women and African-Americans took part in the war.

Women in the War When men were off

fighting, women took on added work at home: Some planted and

harvested crops Others made shoes

and wove cloth for blankets and uniforms

One woman was known for making cannons and guns for the army

Women Helping the Army Many women joined their

husbands at the front: Some women took part in battle:

They cared for the wounded,

washed clothes, and cooked.

Martha Washington joined her husband whenever she could.

Betsy Ross sewed flags for Washington’s army.

Mary Ludwig Hays carried

water to her husband and other soldiers:

She became known as Molly Pitcher.

She even took her husband’s place

loading and firing the cannon after he was wounded

New Attitudes of Women As women participated in the

war, they began to think differently about their rights. Those who took charge of their

husband’s farms and businesses became more confident.

Still, most men in Congress did not agree that women should be treated equally. The war established important

ideals of liberty and equality for women, which would encourage women to eventually win equality!

African-Americans face Hard Choices

By 1776, more than 500,000 African-Americans lived in the colonies.

At first the Continental Congress refused to let African-Americans (free or slave) join the army.

The British offered freedom to some male slaves willing to serve.

Washington feared this would increase the ranks of the British army, therefore he asked Congress to allow free African-Americans to enlist.

African-Americans Join the Fight

About 5,000 African-Americans from all the colonies (except SC) served in the army.

Another 2,000 served in the navy, which had allowed African-Americans to serve from the start.

Some African-Americans formed special regiments. Others served in white regiments as drummers, fifers, spies, and guides.

Slaves had to make a choice: If they served in the American army and

were captured by the British, they would be sold. If they tried to flee the British army, they could be hanged by angry Patriots.

Hoping for Freedom Many slaves did flee their masters:

Thousands followed British troops through the south

Black Patriots hoped the Revolution would end slavery. After all, the Declaration of Independence proclaimed “all men are created equal”.

By the 1770’s, slavery was declining in the North, where many free African-Americans lived. During the war many states made

slavery illegal including (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania).

War on the Western Front

As the war spread to Indian lands in the West, the Americans and British both tried to win the support of Indian tribes.

The British were more successful. They convinced the Indians that an American victory would mean more white settlers crossing onto their land.

Fighting at Sea

At sea, the Americans could do little against the powerful British navy.

British ships blockaded American ports.

The greatest American sea victory took place in September 1779 on the North Sea (off the coast of Britain)

American Captain John Paul Jones captured the powerful warship, Serapis.