INVOLVEMENT IN THE WAR

AFRICAN AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT African Americans had a lot of involvement in the war

because fighting in the war meant freedom In 1775 the Continental Army was ordered to discharge all

African American soldiers and not permit any others to enlist Shortly after, the Royal

Government of Virginia promised

to free any enslaved person who

joined the British army – this

caused many American slaves to

cross over and fight for the British

cause

AFRICAN AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT

In an effort to get African American soldiers back on the side of the Americans, the Continental Congress reversed it’s policy and allowed African Americans to enlist

Jehu Grant was an African American slave who joined the American Army out of fear of his master. He feared that he would be made to serve on a British ship.

He served the Americans for 10 months and was granted freedom.

He later got married and started a family DIED -“In Milton, on the 25th, Jehu Grant, a coloured man aged 102 years, a soldier of the Revolution and for many years a member of the church”

NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENTMany Native Americans tried to remain neutral during the Revolutionary War, but just as many joined the British side

The Native Americans knew that the Americans opposed the Royal Proclamation of 1763

Why?

NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENTBritish encouraged the Native Americans to attack settlements on the frontier

Provided weapons and ammunition The Cherokee were given orders to raid Virginia, Georgia and Carolina

As a result, many state militia did not have to fight against the British soldiers – good/bad?

NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT

Joseph Brant

Mohawk Chief who led four of the six Nations against the Americans

Skillfully led several successful attacks against the Americans

Won a formidable reputation after the raid on the village of Cherry Valley, New York

Brant was an intelligent fighter and brought a lot of fear and destruction wherever he went

NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT

General Washington eventually sent troops to destroy the Iroquois confederation (6 Nations)

They succeeded

SIX NATIONS

Lake Ontario

WOMEN INVOLVEMENT Raised money to properly equip the troops and maintained farms and business’ on the home front

Served as cooks, maids and nurses in the war

Many accompanied their husbands or a man in general and personally served them as a cook, maid, nurse etc

Often served as secret agents, supplying information about British positions and plans

they would eavesdrop on conversations when cooking or cleaning

MOLLY PITCHER – MARY LUDWIG HAYS

Fought in the ranks carrying water to gunners during the battle of Mon-mouth

In 1778 she saw her husband fall, which at that point she took his place at the cannon

It’s speculated today that Molly Pitcher may not have been an actual person, but a general term for all women who fought alongside men in the war.

DEBORAH SAMPSONDisguised herself as a man and enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment

Served in the army for 17 months as Robert Shurtliff

Eventually was seriously wounded and was discharged from the army

YOUR TASK:

Write a supported opinion response on:

Often times in history certain groups are forgotten about, why do you think it’s important to learn about all the various contributions?

Use facts, prior knowledge and/or modern day concepts to form an opinion. Write no less than ONE paragraph and no more than THREE.