Final answer:
The majority of soldiers in the Continental Army did not enlist for the duration of the war, as they typically enlisted for shorter periods of time. Northern slaves and free blacks often enlisted in the Continental Army, but only some states allowed African Americans to serve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Did most soldiers in the Continental Army enlist for the duration of the war?" is false. While some soldiers in the Continental Army did enlist for the duration of the war, the majority of soldiers enlisted for shorter periods of time, typically one year. This was due to the challenges faced by the Continental Army, such as lack of manpower, organizational difficulties, and equipment shortages.
During the Revolutionary War, Northern slaves and free blacks often enlisted in the Continental Army. However, the Continental Congress succumbed to pressure from southern representatives to bar slaves from service, and only some states allowed African Americans to enlist. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut even recruited all-black regiments.