African Americans After Declaration Of Independence

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Before the year of 1783, America was not the America we know today but rather a separated set of thirteen colonies in which were under British rule rather than having their own independence as “America.” On September 3, 1783 things changed for the colonies after a long fight with Britain over independence and what became America had gained a signed Declaration of Independence thus allowing the 13 colonies to join together. Despite their earned independence, America was not perfect in upholding their "natural born rights" as given by the Declaration of Independence, the largest gain from the Revolutionary War. The ideas of freedom of speech, right to vote, and the limitations of these rights were in question for decades after.
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Most slaves were not allowed to learn to read or write out of that they would pass messages to slaves on other plantations and start a revolt thus also violating their rights to freedom of speech. Slavery in America impacted many people. All in all, Blacks played a very important role in the Revolutionary War. They kept the plantations running when their masters were fighting, most notably George Washington but also many others. Slaves served on both sides during the Revolutionary War. The British actively aimed to recruit them by offering them liberty. Responding to this, George Washington allowed slaves to fight and over 5,000 served by the end of the war. Crispus Attucks led a crowd in an attack on the Customs House in Boston in 1770. British troops killed him in what became known as the the Boston massacre which was important in the leadup to the war. An estimated 100,000 African Americans escaped, died or were killed during the American Revolution. Also, Document 5 shows a map explaining the states that passed gradual abolition acts. The first date representing the year gradual abolition acts were passed. The second date indicating when the last slave died or was

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