The impact of westward movement on enslaved African Americans was a really a serious conflict. Around 1775 more than half a million African Americans, most of them became slaves and they were living in the 13 colonies. The morality of slavery was disregarded. By the 1760s, as colonists began to speak out against Westward movement, more Americans pointed out the obvious contradiction between advocating liberty and owning slaves. As the talk of liberty started to spread that gave a plethora of slaves high expectations, and a lot of them wanted to fight for a democratic revolution that might offer them freedom. In 1775 at least 10 to 15 black soldiers, including some slaves, fought against the British at the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill. The Declaration of Independence promised liberty for all men but failed to put an end to slavery. In spite this, many free and enslaved African American in New England were willing to to fight the British. Black participation in the Revolution, however, was not limited to supporting the American cause, and either voluntarily or under duress thousands also fought for the British. Enslaved blacks made their own assessment of the conflict and supported the side that offered the best opportunity to escape bondage. Most British officials were reluctant to arm blacks, but as early as 1775, Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, established an all-black “Ethiopian Regiment” composed of runaway slaves. By promising them freedom, Dunmore enticed over 800 slaves to escape from “rebel” masters. Whenever they could, enslaved blacks continued to join him until he was defeated and forced to leave Virginia in 1776. Dunmore’s innovative strategy met with disfavor in England, but to many blacks the British army came to represent liberation.
How were the slaves life like?
Life for most enslaved men and women was brutal. They were isolated from their family members because most slaveowners had no compunction about splitting up families in order to improve their own financial situation. Most European colonial economies were dependent on enslaved African labour for their survival as it was a national system that touch the core of its economic and political life.
Even though the enslaved people had a harsh life they adopted a variety of mechanisms to cope with the degrading realities of life and they resisted to everyday slavery through everyday acts. This also led them to create their own unique religious culture combing elements of the westward and the African American traditions and spiritual beliefs.
Even though the slavery of African Americans was a disastrous conflict but it has shaped our lives and taught the future generations about the terrible reality, the deceptions and evasions the enslaved people have been through.
