Question

Excerpt from a Resolution by the Continental Congress, March 29, 1779

Excerpt from a Letter from George Washington to Henry Laurens, March
20, 1779
Resolved, That it be recommended to the states of South Carolina and
Georgia, if they shall think the same expedient, to take measures immediately
for raising three thousand able bodied negroes.
That the said negroes be formed into separate corps as battalions, according
to the arrangements adopted for the main army, to be commanded by white
commissioned and non commissioned officers....
Resolved. That congress will make provision for paying the proprietors of
such negroes as shall be inlisted for the service of the United States during
the war, a full compensation for the property at a rate not exceeding one
thousand dollars for each active able bodied negro man of standard size, not
exceeding thirty five years of age, who shall be so inlisted and pass muster.
That no pay or bounty be allowed to the said negroes, but that they be
cloathed and subsisted at the expence of the United States.
That every negro who shall well and faithfully serve as a soldier to the end of
the present war, and shall then return his arms, be emancipated and receive
the sum of fifty dollars.
Use the excerpts from Washington's Letters to Henry Laurens to
answer the question.
Despite their marginalized status, free and enslaved blacks did take
part in the Revolutionary War. Using the excerpt above, answer (A)
and (B).
(A) In 2-3 sentences, describe how slavery hurt American
revolutionary efforts.
(B) In 2-3 sentences, identify ways in which these excerpts reflect
the contributions made by free and enslaved Africans during the
war.
(4 points)
B I U
!!!

Answer 1

Slavery hurt revolutionary efforts by contradicting ideals and hindering resource mobilization. The excerpts show recognition of the contributions of free and enslaved Africans.

Step-by-step explanation:

(A) Slavery hurt American revolutionary efforts in several ways. Firstly, it undermined the principles of liberty and equality that the revolution sought to promote. The continued enslavement of a significant portion of the population contradicted the ideals of the Revolution and made it harder to gain support from enslaved Africans and free blacks. Additionally, the institution of slavery hindered the mobilization of resources for the war effort, as enslaved people were seen as valuable property that owners were reluctant to part with.

(B) These excerpts reflect the contributions made by free and enslaved Africans during the Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress recommended raising three thousand able-bodied negroes to serve in separate corps as battalions, commanded by white officers. This shows that African Americans were recognized for their military potential and allowed to contribute to the war effort. Furthermore, the promise of emancipation and financial compensation for those who served demonstrates the recognition of their sacrifice and their role in the struggle for American independence.

Learn more about American Revolution and slavery