Final answer:
During the American Revolution, approximately 20,000 enslaved African Americans joined the British cause to gain freedom. After the war, they moved to places like Sierra Leone, Canada, and England. Despite these opportunities, some enslaved individuals who fought for the Patriots weren't granted freedom post-war.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the American Revolution, enslaved African Americans had a significant role in the conflict. At the time, there were approximately half a million enslaved individuals in the colonies. Of these, an estimated twenty thousand joined the British cause, seeing this as a unique opportunity to escape bondage. Individuals enslaved by notable figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry seized these opportunities for freedom.
This could be seen as one of the biggest slave uprisings and acts of mass emancipation until the Civil War. After the Revolution, some of these African Loyalists emigrated to Sierra Leone, while others moved to Canada and England. This does not mean, however, that all African Americans supported the British. There were individuals of color who made heroic contributions to the American independence cause as well.
It's important to note that while the British offered freedom to enslaved individuals who joined their cause, most American revolutionaries held fast to the concept of Black inferiority. Thus, even some who fought for the Patriot cause were not granted their freedom in the aftermath of the Revolution.
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