Abolition Of Slavery Essay

Words: 485
Pages: 2

Freedom only by military service? Some would say this is an oxymoron, but slaves in 1775 may have seen servitude to the army just so because the freedom was granted after your service - if you survived! The Revolutionary War occurred during a period of slavery, 1775-1783, which in reality, was a milestone era for the end of slavery as well as American Independence. Abolition of slavery meant that everyone could have a choice to work, without being forced or held captive, and that certain freedoms were a natural right. It would end the kidnapping, import, abuse, and enslavement of any human being. The official abolition of slavery in America did not occur until the 13th Amendment of the Constitution was signed in 1865; however, the revolutionary war was when the process began. Pleas for all men physically able to fight the British army began upon the revolutionary war, but there was a problem. …show more content…
They were also hesitant to give slaves weapons to defend the plantation, for fear the slaves would use the weapons on the owners. But the slaves wanted to fight for their freedom and there was talk of such a deal in Virginia. British Governor, Lord Dunmore, seized the idea by creating a proclamation granting slaves who left their American owners freedom if they would serve his army instead. He felt the addition of black soldiers would help him win an upcoming battle, but the opposite was true. Southerners were so angered by this, they fought even harder, and starting in Virginia where the same deal was offered to slaves, the army increased by thousands of former slaves and Dunmore was defeated. After the war, most slaves actually returned “home” to their former plantations. Bizarre as this may seem, it sparked a change in many slave owners, including William