Final answer:
African Americans supported British rule during the American Revolution largely because of the hope of freedom offered to enslaved individuals who joined British forces. The British promises of emancipation, such as through Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, provided a way out of slavery, a chance seized by many, despite the resulting freedom being fraught with new challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some African Americans supported the British rule during the time of the 13 colonies for various reasons. One primary motivation was the hope of freedom offered by the British to the enslaved persons. During the American Revolution, Lord Dunmore's Proclamation in 1775, for instance, promised immediate emancipation to any enslaved African American who would join the British forces, leading to formations such as Dunmore's "Ethiopian Regiment." This prompted many enslaved individuals to leave their plantations and side with the British, viewing it as a chance to escape bondage and attain liberty.
Furthermore, the irony was not lost on African Americans and abolitionist whites that white colonists, themselves enslavers, would refer to British policies as a form of enslavement when arguing for colonial rights under British rule. The language of liberty and freedom used by the colonists resonated with Africans in America who sought their freedom from the literal bonds of slavery.
Ultimately, the British promises were not always fulfilled as planned. Those who did achieve freedom sometimes faced challenges due to financial constraints and other hardships. Nonetheless, the American Revolution presented an opportunity, however imperfect, for tens of thousands of enslaved people to seek liberty, a powerful motivation that explains why some African Americans supported the British during the conflict.