Question

Which of the following is true of the soldiers who fought for American independence?

a. Because they had the most to gain, men of substantial property served in disproportionately high numbers throughout the war.
b. During the war's later years, the Continental army relied increasingly on young men with limited economic prospects.
c. Relatively few—only one in sixty—lost their lives in the war.
d. Nearly one-third of all American soldiers were slaves fighting as substitutes for their masters.
e. Lacking any military experience and unsure of their cause, the soldiers performed so poorly that it took the addition of 25,000 French ground troops to prevent a British victory.

Answer 1

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army increasingly relied on young men with limited economic prospects, including a small number of Northern slaves and free blacks, who enlisted in the hope of achieving personal freedom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The following is true of the soldiers who fought for American independence: During the war's later years, the Continental army relied increasingly on young men with limited economic prospects. This included Northern slaves and free blacks who enlisted in the Continental Army, although their numbers were relatively small. Despite being barred from service by the Continental Congress under pressure from Southern representatives, over 5,000 served in the patriot cause throughout the war, often inspired by the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. States like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut formed or integrated black regiments or individual soldiers into their units, including notable figures such as Peter Salem, Salem Poor, and Prince Whipple. On the other hand, many slaves also fled to join British forces after the promise of immediate emancipation, with approximately twenty thousand joining the British cause throughout the American Revolution. Enslaved patriots fought in the hopes of securing personal freedom, contributing significant manpower to the Continental Army.