ESSAY QUESTION: Discuss the military roles of Black Americans during the War for Independence (American Revolutionary War). How did the various militaries consider in their policies regarding the enlistment of black soldiers? Which factors contributed to black men’s decision to enlist on one side or the other? How important was black soldiers’ battlefield performance to the outcome of the war?
Answer preview
Washington sent a letter to Colonel Henry Lee III on in December 1775, claiming that success in the war would favor whatever side could arm Africa American men the fastest (Lanning, 2005). Washington suggested a policy to execute enslaved Africa Americans who would try to gain their freedom by enlisting in the British cause. Washington ordered the recruiters to reenlist free Africa Americans who had already served in the army because of the worries that some of these African American soldiers might cross over to the British cause. In 1776, congress backed Washington’s call and authorized the re-enlistment of free African Americans men who had already served.
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