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Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre 

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Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre 

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Crispus Attucks, an African American and Native American dockworker, was the first person killed in the Boston Massacre and is often regarded as the first martyr of the American Revolution. His death symbolized the beginning of colonial resistance and African American participation in the struggle for liberty.

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Peter Salem at the Battle of Bunker Hill

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Peter Salem at the Battle of Bunker Hill

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Peter Salem, an enslaved man who earned his freedom, fought bravely at Bunker Hill and was credited with killing British Major John Pitcairn, a key officer.His actions showed that African Americans played decisive roles in major battles of the Revolution.

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Salem Poor, another Black soldier at Bunker Hill, fought with exceptional bravery. His officers petitioned Congress, calling him a “brave and gallant soldier.”He was officially recognized by Congress for his valor — rare for any soldier, especially an African American, at that time.

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Salem Poor & Barzillai Lew: The African American Heroes of the American Revolution

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Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, offered freedom to enslaved people who joined the British Army to fight against the rebelling colonists. Thousands of enslaved African Americans joined the British, forming one of the first large-scale emancipation movements in North America.

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The Untold Story Of Lord Dunmore's Proclamation In Us History | Emgotvmedia

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Cato Smith and Cesar Ferrit were among hundreds of African Americans who served in militias and regiments across the colonies, often fighting side-by-side with white soldiers. They represent the many unnamed or lesser-known African Americans who contributed to the Revolution’s success.

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After Lord Dunmore’s proclamation, he organized the Ethiopian Regiment, made up of formerly enslaved people who escaped to British lines. Their motto was “Liberty to Slaves”. It was one of the first official Black military units in North America, fighting for freedom from slavery.

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The First Rhode Island Regiment, known as the “Black Regiment,” was formed when Rhode Island voted to free enslaved men who enlisted in the Continental Army. It was one of the few integrated units of the war and proved African Americans’ courage and skill in battle.

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Freedom for Black Soldiers in the North 

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Freedom for Black Soldiers in the North 

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Northern states like Rhode Island and Massachusetts began offering emancipation to enslaved soldiers who fought for the Continental Army. This policy allowed many African Americans to earn their freedom through service, marking early steps toward abolition in the North.

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James Armistead, an enslaved man, served as a double agent for the Americans, pretending to spy for the British while secretly providing critical information to the Continental Army. His intelligence helped secure the American victory at Yorktown. He was later granted freedom for his service.

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Makematic: James Lafayette - Revolutionary Spy

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At the end of the war, some African Americans were freed, while others were returned to slavery. Despite this, their participation laid the foundation for future abolitionist movement. Their courage highlighted the contradiction between fighting for liberty while allowing slavery to continue, influencing later struggles for civil rights.

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The American Revolution: Crash Course Black American History #8