African Americans Roles In The Revolutionary War History Essay

African Americans Roles In The Revolutionary War History Essay At the time of the Revolutionary War, the African American population in the colonies was approximately 500,000, which was about 20 percent of the total population. The history of the military roles of African Americans in the War for Independence is one that was rarely acknowledged until several decades after the war was over. The documents detailing how many African American men served, whether they were free or slave, where they served, and what their duties were are incomplete. What research has shown is telling about the culture of the time period and especially telling about the better part of the century that followed. It is difficult to estimate the number of African Americans who fought for both the Continental Army and the British Royal Army. The numbers people get are a general estimate given by what was actually documented and what historians have acquired through analysis of letters, diaries, and similar sources. African Americans participated in the War for Independence from the beginning to its conclusion, they did so in hopes that the freedoms their white counterparts would gain would also apply to them. Even though many knew that would not be the case they still fought praying that one day their efforts then would get them freedom. The right to fight was given and taken away at several points throughout the war. However, when African Americans were granted the right to fight, those willing to fight were never in short supply. Historians have estimated that at least 5,000 black soldiers fought for independence during the Revolutionary War. Among those African Americans that fought for independence would have undoubtedly been Crispus Attucks, a runaway slave living in Massachusetts in 1770. However, years before the first shots of the Revolution were fired, on March 5, 1770, five people were shot and killed, including Crispus Attucks, at the hands of the British Royal Army during what became known as the Boston Massacre. Just over a month before the first shots of the war were fired, on March 5, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren spoke about the Boston Massacre and how the ideology of liberty was not only thought by whites but by all people: That personal freedom is the natural right of every man, and that property, or exclusive right to dispose of what he has honestly acquired by his own labor, necessarily arises therefrom, are truths which common sense has placed beyond the reach of contradiction. And no man, or body of men, can, without being guilty of flagrant injustice, claim a right to dispose of the persons or acquisitions of any other man or body of men, unless it can be proved that such a right has arisen from some compact between the parties, in which it has been explicitly and freely granted.  [1]   However, it must be noted that Dr. Joseph Warren was from Massachusetts, a hotbed for Patriots and also where only four percent of the population was African American.  [2]  Yet even in Massachusetts the legislature agreed to reject all African Americans from enlisting when the chances of an uprising occurring were extremely slight. Connecticut and Rhode Island followed suit and agreed to reject African Americans, at least for the first years of war.  [3]   For the first part of the war, many citizens operated under the ideology of staying true to their prejudices rather than realizing the practicality of using African American soldiers. Prejudice towards African Americans came from many citizens, including the President George Washington. Early on in George Washingtons life he believed that white blood not only lightened the skin but enlightened the mind, and he preferred to employ yellow-skinned servants within his home.  [4]  Unfortunately, his beliefs mirrored that of many others in the area. Others saw African Americans as savages, and as property so how could they possibly fight alongside actual people?  [5]  On the other side of the coin there were people who saw African Americans as humans but with the conflict at hand taking up so much energy, they did not believe that it was the time to discuss slavery which could cause fighting among the states. Regrettably, that divisive issue only gave the British a leg up in the co nflict. Even though remaining true to ones prejudices was widely practiced, it never stopped African Americans from wanting to fight for the cause. African Americans fought on both sides for many of the same reasons. Freedom was the number one driving factor for the African American slave in which side they fought for, either the Continental or Royal Army. Free African Americans, at times, were recruited but many chose to enlist. African American men, free or enslaved, chose which side to fight on based on what each side offered. The side was chosen by who offered them a better life after the war in many cases. In Massachusetts, the Committee of Safety reported to the Provincial Congress in May 1775 that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Admission of any persons but freemen as soldiers would be inconsistent with principles being supported and would reflect dishonor on the colony.  [6]  That report, however, made no mention of what they would do with free African Americans. However, when George Washington was given command of the troops around Boston, he issued orders to recruiting officers that prohibited enlistment of any Negro. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ In the Continental Congress in September 1775, Edward Rutledge of South Carolina demanded that Washington discharge all blacksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦but failed to receive the necessary votes from other representatives.  [7]  On October 8, 1775, the Council of War convened to discuss several issues concerning the Continental Army. Those in the council included such men as Commander in Chief, George Washington, several Major-Generals: Ward, Lee, and Putnam, as well as many Brigadier-Generals: Thomas, Spencer, Heath, Sullivan, Green, and Gates. Among the issues discussed was whether or not to allow African Americans to enlist or re-enlist in the Continental Army, and if they were to allow them to do so, would free men as well as slaves be allowed to enlist. The councils decision: Agreed, unanimously, to reject all slaves, and, by a great majority, to reject Negroes altogether.  [8]  However, there were some dissenting opinions in the council, as was the case with General Thomas. In a letter from General Thomas to John Adams, written in the same month the Council of War convened, Thomas wrote: We have some negroes; but I look on them, in general, as equally serviceable with other men for fatigue; and in action many of them have proved themselves brave.  [9]  Approximately twenty days later, George Washington issued a General Order stating: Any person therefore (Negroes excepted, which the Congress do not incline to inlist again) coming with a proper Order and will subscribe the Inlistment, shall be immediately supplied.  [10]  Again, on November 12, 1775, Washington issued another General Order to make sure all recruiters were aware of his previous decision. The Order stated: Neither Negroes, Boys unable to bare Arms, nor old men unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign, are to be inlisted.  [11]   Several whites in the Southern colonies held a deep opposition to African Americans (free or enslaved) enlisting in the Continental Army, because they feared the idea of them being armed. Whites in the South also feared armed African American men because of the possibility of a slave rebellion and the possibility of losing their slaves which they saw as property. The British Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore of Virginia, readily saw the weakness in the colonies of slaveholders in the South. In November 1775, he issued a proclamation stating: I do, in virtue of the power and authority to me given, by his majesty, determine to execute martial law, and cause the same to be executed throughout this colony; and to the end that peace and good order may the sooner be restored, I do require every person capable of bearing arms, to resort to his majestys standard, or be looked upon as traitors to his majestys crown and government, and thereby become liable to the penalty the law inflicts upon such offencesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ And I do hereby further declare all indentured servants, negroes, or others (appertaining to rebels) free, that are able and willing to bear arms, they joining his majestys troops as soon as may be, for the more speedily reducing this colony to a proper sense of their duty to his majestys crown and dignityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.  [12]   Lord Dunmore promised freedom to any slave of anyone the Majesty would consider a rebel. However, similar to the colonies, allowing African Americans to enlist in the British Royal Army was not completely unanimous. Many of the free or runaway African Americans who had joined the loyalists, at least those who had not already died, were discharged from their positions. However, a month and a half after Washingtons General Order was issued and Lord Dunmores game changing proclamation was issued, Washington wrote a letter to the President of Congress, John Hancock: It has been represented to me, that the free Negroes who have served in this Army, are very much dissatisfied at being discarded. As it is to be apprehended that they may seek employ in the Ministerial Army, I have presumed to depart from the Resolution respecting them and have given licence for their being enlisted, If this is disapproved by Congress I shall put a stop to it.  [13]   In September of 1776, the Continental Congress required states to come up with 88 battalions to assist the Continental Army. At that point their resources where almost completely exhausted and when the Continental Congress requested another 16 battalions, recruiting African American became a crucial necessity. The Revolutionary War set a precedent for allowing African Americans to enlist or be recruited only in times of dire need. As the war went on officers easily recognized the need to enlist African Americans, otherwise their troops would continue to dwindle and that would ultimately mean the war would be lost to the Tories. Clearly, that was not an option. African Americans, for the most part, took on the beliefs of the cause as their own. Just because the color of their skin was different did not mean they did not believe in liberty, quite the contrary in fact. Lemuel Haynes, a free African American man from New England, who was also one the minutemen at Lexington and Concord, wrote to Congress in 1776 on the matter of liberty. In his letter, Haynes writes: To affirm, that an Englishman has a right to his Liberty, is a truth which has Been so clearly Evinced, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ But I query, whether Liberty is so contracted a principle as to be Confind to any nation under Heaven; nay, I think it not hyperbolical to affirm, that Even and affrican, has Equally as good a right to his Liberty in common with Englishmenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Consequently we may suppose, that what is precious to one man, is precious to another,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Therefore we may reasonably Conclude, that Liberty is Equally as precious to a Black man, as it is to a white one.  [14]   Haynes, like many other African American men, hoped that his faithful service to the Continental Army would prove to whites who were in disbelief that they, too, deserved the unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence.  [15]  Haynes later went on to become the first African American clergymen to be formally ordained, as well as marry a white woman and have nine children.  [16]   African Americans experienced greater racial equality while serving in the Continental Navy than they did while serving in the army. That being the case, many African American men served in the navy during the Revolutionary War, doing so for several reasons. The ever present manpower shortages of the time, not only on land but also at sea, caused both the Continental Navy and Royal Navy to enlist African Americans into the navy. Different from the Continental Army, the Navy recruited both free and enslaved African American from the start of the war. The Navy did this mostly because they were in need of sailors, no matter what color they were. To both the enslaved and free, privately owned ships were more attractive than the Continental or state navies. For runaway slaves, there was less chance of being caught, and in general, the pay was much better than the army. However, African Americans still served in and on both because the pay was good, being roughly equal to the pay for white sailors. Not only was the pay generally equal, the majority of the Navies ships had crews that were integrated.  [17]  On ships African Americans gratefully accepted roles whites were not willing to accept. Some of their duties included cooking, cleaning, managing the ships sails, mending any damages the ship sustained in battles.  [18]  However, there were also African American sailors that served in marine units from Pennsylvania and Connecticut for example, and as ship pilots, mainly coming from Maryland and Virginia.  [19]   The First Rhode Island regiment à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Peter Salem was born into slavery; however, one of his owners freed him so he could enlist in the Continental Army.  [20]  He became one of the Minutemen; he fought at Concord, Bunker Hill where he was credited for firing the shot that killed a British Major, Saratoga, and Stony Point. (CITE) Salem Poor who was born free, is another excellent example of bravery and willingness to fight on the part of African Americans. Salem Poor fought at Bunker Hill where he shot a British Lieutenant. It was there at Bunker Hill where Poor earned the respect of several white officers who stated: That a negro called Salem Poor, of Col. Fryes regiment, Capt. Ames company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier, to set forth particulars of his conduct would be tedious, we only beg leave to say, in the person of this said negro centers a brave and gallant soldier. The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to Congress.  [21]   Without a doubt there are many other stories expressing great examples of gallantry and courage from African Americans that served in the Revolutionary War, unfortunately, the color of their skin, at the time, dictated what and how much was documented about them. Public acknowledgment for their service to the country did not come out until well over half a century after the war had concluded and while another war was in full swing. The Army and Navy Journal published an article in September of 1863 on Negro Soldiers in the Revolution. The article stated: The record is clear, that from the beginning to the conclusion of the war of the Revolution, Negroes served in the Continental armies with intelligence, courage, and steadfastness; and that important results in several instances are directly traceable to their good conduct.  [22]   For their service in the military, only a few African Americans received some kind of acknowledgment. The great majority, even though serving their country with courage and bravery, stayed out of the spotlight. Without the participation of African Americans in the Revolutionary War, especially on the side of the Patriots, the outcome may have been drastically different. African American soldiers of the Revolution served with the same bravery and courage as their white brothers. They served that way even knowing that they might not be able to enjoy the freedoms over which the war was fought.

Road Construction in the Amazon :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Road Construction in the Amazon When one thinks of the Amazonian rain forest, it is very unlikely that paved roads and highways will come to the imagination. Unfortunately, in the past 35 years road construction has been the main reason for the deforestation in Brazil's Amazon basin. In an effort to expand its frontiers and develop economically the impenetrable areas of the country, Brazil's government has launched a series of projects aimed at improving the infrastructure in the Amazon region. This included mainly the building of big transport arteries such as the Trans- Amazon highway and the subsidizing of small-scale farming along those arteries. The National Development Plans (NDP's) did not meet their initial goals since few people settled in the newly expanded areas and those who settled still suffered from low income, lack of educational opportunities and low life expectancy.1 The negative impact on the environment of the planned human expansion is tremendous. It has been estimated that 10 million hectares of the Amazon forest have been destroyed due to clear-cutting, burning, slash-and-burn agriculture and conversion to pastures. Deforestation is caused mainly by road construction since 74% of the converted areas is within 50 km of roads.1 This clearly shows that frontier expansion and colonization for economical and social reasons has a devastating effect on the environment. The Brazilian Amazon is the largest piece of undisturbed rain forest and, unfortunately, this natural treasure is being damaged very carelessly and at an extremely high rate. Despite the above grim conclusions, the Brazilian government persists in its effort to expand the infrastructure by appropriating more and more land from the heart of the Amazon basin. In 1999, the government started a new program, called Avanà §a Brazil (Forward Brazil), which intends to add 6,245 km of paved highways and 1,600 km of railroads to the existing transportation network. The highlights of the project include the construction of the Santarem-Cuiaba and Porto Velho-Manaus highways, which would traverse pristine forest areas.1 There is a heated debate about the effects on the environment of the new construction project. Researchers and environmentalists predict that "Avanà §a Brazil" will cause deforestation at a rate between 269,000 and 506,000 hectares per year. They also accuse the Brazilian government in negligence and corruption, because "Avanà §a Brazil" was approved without the necessary environmental assessment reports from the Ministry of the Environment.2 Government officials claim that measures have been taken to minimize the negative impact on the environment, but do not present facts and examples of how this is being done.

Paper on Intramuros

I entered through the gate along And Street and the first thing I noticed was the presence of security guards wearing nice blue uniforms with large hats. I only found out later that they were wearing Guardia Civil attire and it did add a Spanish touch, as well as added security in the district. I would see dozens of them during my trip. The first museum I visited was the Kiss Heritage Center as it was the one closest to where I entered. One officer was kind enough to direct to me to the museum and I found myself walking along And Street. It was not long before I saw a sales making TTS way through the old streets of Intramural.The streets did feel old and also most of the buildings along the road looked old and had a hint of Spanish influence. And as I was walking to the Kiss Heritage Center, I passed by the Placid del Asana, which was the first clear tribute to the Spanish influence I saw. It was painted in the unmistakable bright red and yellow colors of the Spanish flag. After my t our of the Heritage Center, my next stop was the Case Manila at the Plaza San Luis Complex. As I got closer, I noticed the concrete streets turn into cobblestone and the buildings had more of that Spanish tinge.The area around the Plaza San Luis Complex, which is situated Just across the San Austin Church and Museum, was clearly restored and maintained to recreate Intramural as it was during the colonization: a city for the privileged Spanish and messiest. The Case Manila Museum provided a closer look into lifestyle of the Messiest and the Spanish elite. They did a great re-creation of the interior of a Spanish home. I would have preferred to have a closer look at the rooms but they limited viewers to a red carpet path that goes around and throughout the museum.The display was very ell-thought out and even the tiniest of details, especially in the Cochin, were present. Some of the furniture and even some of the design looked familiar to me, and I realized I had seen similar wooden f urniture at my grandmother's ancestral home back in Zebu. The rooms were very huge, especially the salsa area, and it was very hot despite the many electric fans placed in the corners of the rooms. I can only imagine how hot it was for the Spanish residents, mores for those who came from Spain, where they had a more welcoming climate.Being sent to the Philippines could eave been the last thing any Spaniard would have wanted. However, at least they were better off than the people living outside the walls of Intramural. I exited the museum through an old, worn-down stone staircase and outside I could see a stone fountain and the Spanish-era architecture of the Complex. When I went down the hoping for memorabilia or at least replicas of any antiquities of the Spanish period. I could not help but laugh at all the odd trinkets they were selling, which had nothing to do with Spanish.Origami dragons and a Kim Possible action figure were Just a pair f things that seemed very out of place. I crossed the street over to the San Austin Church and it Just so happened that I visited in the middle of a wedding ceremony. The stone church walls were old and worn down but the interior was amazing. It is a great testament to how Spain brought about Christianity to the Philippines. The museum was huge and it would take you at least an hour to view everything on display. They showcased statues of the Holy Family, the saints, apostles and other Catholic figures.They had giant paintings of Augustine priests along the corridors and a rooms devoted to the efferent Augustine churches in the Philippines and even vestments of Catholic priests. What surprised me the most during my tour around the museum was the room they called the â€Å"Script. † It was a crypt built within the monastery that held the bodies of 141 prisoners of war and it also displayed a monument to honor those fallen dead. My last stop was Fort Santiago which was on the far end of Intramural. It was a long walk and I passed by the Shrine of Freedom, another monument dedicated to the victims of war.Then I passed by the Manila Cathedral, which was still under renovation. The great structure was more evidence of the importance of Christianity which was brought upon by the Spanish rule. When I arrived at Fort Santiago, I saw a large group of people, foreigners and even some Filipinos, gathered around a tour guide. However, I decided that I would explore the area on my own. At the entrance of the actual fortress, I got to see the bronze footsteps of Racial, the last steps he took. There was also an exhibit of Irrational furniture which displayed the tables, books, paintings and all that were related to Racial.I also got to view the dungeons where recliners were kept and where even some had died. There was also a monument that honored those who passed within the fortress. My experience during the trip to Intramural gave a pretty good picture of what life was like during the Spanish era. Although it may have been a very difficult time for our country, it played an important role in our history. I really support the whole idea of remembering and preserving at least some Spanish culture and some structures. It was easy to see that the people living within Intramural during the Spanish era were living good lives (I. . Spanish and Messiest). They were living relatively extravagant lives as compared to those outside of the walls. It also repeatedly showed the significance of Christianity back then, and we can see that persevere until today. However, we must also remember that it was a place of imprisonment and death; a burial ground for others. It gives us a pretty picture of how life was like for the average Spaniard, and a very common part of that picture is the death of thousands during those times. Even though the Spaniards built up those walls as barriers, they could not escape the reality of violence and death.

A Biblical Worldview from the Book of Romans - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 1040 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/06/12 Category Religion Essay Level High school Tags: Biblical Worldview Essay Did you like this example? The book of Romans is a letter that the Paul wrote to the Roman people during his third missionary journey. Throughout Romans Paul writes about how sinful humans are and how they can receive salvation from God through Jesus Christ. The running theme in the book of Romans is that every person has disobeyed God, but he has a way for us to correct our mistakes. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Biblical Worldview from the Book of Romans" essay for you Create order God created us with one gift that may seem like a blessing and a curse, which is the ability to have the freedom to make choices. Another thing we can learn from Paulrs letter is that if we continue to peruse a deeper following of God we will receive sanctification along with salvation. God As believers we can be given righteousness through God, by just having faith in Jesus Christ and being free of sin. Unfortunately, mankind will never be free of sin, this is due to God giving us the gift of being free to make choices. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Paul uses Abraham as an example of what having faith can do for us. When we read about Abraham in Genesis one can only ask how God could forgive him for all wicked he had done. The answer lies in the following verse But demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God loves each and every person he has created and was so determined at one point to show his love that he sacrificed his only son for us to be forgiven of our evil ways. Paul also wrote about how he hoped that God would fill the Romans with joy and peace if they trust in him. Without having joy and peace in our lives we would be miserable. Without faith there is no joy or peace, to have faith in something you cannot see is hard, but I would rather have faith and find out in the end it was all worth it. Creation Paulrs letter describes to us how mankind was not created as sinners, but humankind created sin due to our evil ways. We can however have confidence that that we can be forgiven of our sins as long as we have faith. In verses 3:9-20 Paul describes how by their sinful human nature people have turned away from God in all aspects. He also explains that as long as we are aware of our sins, we can receive righteousness from God. Sin Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. All evil began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. When they ate from the Tree of Knowledge, by disobeying Godrs only command to them. Also in this verse Paul briefly describes the great flood imposed on the earth that killed everyone, due to all of mankindrs sinful behavior. The origin of sin goes back to Adam and Eve where they made the choice to eat the fruit. The key thing there is choice, God has given man the ability to make choices. With that ability man can often times feel as though they have the power to change their life. The consequence of sin is death, this is not just restricted to physical death but an eternal parting from God. Salvation Romans teaches that the solution for the problem of sin is, life through the Spirit. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. The nature and mission of Jesus Christ while on this earth was to be the example for all of us to follow. He was sent to teach us how to reach salvation through him by way of his father. Justification is the finished work of God and its results show immediately, whereas sanctification is the continuing to grow in our Christian walk. In Romans 4:1-8 Paul uses Old Testament scriptures to tell the stories of Abram and David. Paul explains how justification is a gift from God that came from their faith and was not based on the good deeds they did. Basically God is wanting people who are good at keeping their faith in him, not just good people. Ethics As Christians we should spend every day on this earth as though we are going to stand before the judgement of God at any moment. The earth is full of evil influences that can affect our Christian morals and ethics, but Paul states in Romans Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. It is important for us as followers of Christ to be strong in our faith and daily walk with God. The renewing of our minds can be achieved by being in a constant state of prayer and the continued use of our Bible as a tool for a better understanding of how we should live our lives and seek favor in Godrs eyes. Eschatology Romans 8:29-30 teaches us that Godrs ultimate goal is for all sinners to have salvation. Without salvation once our time on earth is complete we cannot have eternal life. In Romans 6:23 Paul explains that the end result of a sinful life is death, and that to have the gift of eternal life we must rest in our faith of God. Throughout this essay the six main components in the book of Romans has been briefly described with references for each. Paul was able to write and provide definitive information on God, creation, sin, salvation, morality, and eschatology. We can learn a lot about all the subjects I listed in the previous sentence, but can get a much deeper understanding of each by studying other books of the Bible. During my study of the book of Romans one of the key things I learned was, that we have all offended God in some way, but through his son Jesus Christ he has a way for us to redeem ourselves.