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Explore the African-American perspective during the American Revolution, focusing on James Forten's quote and historical documents. Analyze primary sources and discuss the impact of African-Americans in the revolution.

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  1. Day RS#41

  2. Should the colonists have revolted against Great Britain? What was the African- American perspective?

  3. "I am here a prisoner for the liberties of my country; I never, NEVER, shall prove a traitor to her interests."

  4. James Forten Quote At age 15, James Forten, a free black, served in the American navy during the Revolutionary War on the privateer Royal Louis. The ship was captured by the British in 1781 and Forten was sent to the English prison ship Jersey. There, Forten made friends with the ship captain’s son in a game of marbles. Usually captured African-American sailors would be sent down to the West Indies where they would be forced back into slavery. Instead his fortunate new friendship enabled Forten to be treated as a regular prisoner of war. In fact, Captain Beasley even offered to send Forten back to England with his son to receive an education there. Forten refused, stating: "I am here a prisoner for the liberties of my country; I never, NEVER, shall prove a traitor to her interests."

  5. The war for independence ended while Forten was still aboard the Jersey, so all American prisoners of war were released. Forten became a leading citizen of Philadelphia as a successful business man and abolitionist.

  6. Strategies Historians Use to Analyze Historical Documents • Identify the type of document • Identify the author and any relevant information about the author • Identify the date and historical context • Identify the audience • Identify the purpose for writing • Look for clues in the text that help to identify the author’s perspectives • Word choice • Tone • Facts and opinions • Inferences • Connect the text back to the title

  7. "I am here a prisoner for the liberties of my country; I never, NEVER, shall prove a traitor to her interests." Discuss Why did James Forten say this? Evaluate Forten’s decision not to go to Britain to get an education with the captain’s son. What does this quote tell you about the African- American perspective in answering our essential question? Do you think that all African Americans felt this way?

  8. Today, we will examine two more sources in order to better understand how all African Americans felt about the colonists’ decision to revolt African American Documents

  9. #1 Petition of 1779 by slaves of Fairfield County for the abolition of Slavery in Connecticut

  10. #2 Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation

  11. Here is your Historical Document Log.

  12. You will think and work as a historian on your own. You will be given one of two different documents to closely read and analyze. You will need to use your historian strategies to analyze these documents. You will have time to analyze and complete your Historical Document Log on your own. Remember to include specific information from the text and a concluding statement. Then you will share with another classmate who has analyzed another primary source document. Then we will all discuss what we’ve learned about the African-American perspective.

  13. Strategies Historians Use to Analyze Historical Documents • Identify the type of document • Identify the author and any relevant information about the author • Identify the date and historical context • Identify the audience • Identify the purpose for writing • Look for clues in the text that help to identify the author’s perspectives • Word choice • Tone • Facts and opinions • Inferences • Connect the text back to the title

  14. Now, it’s time to share. You should be in a group with a #1 and #2 student.

  15. Take turns. • Speak clearly. • Listen carefully. • Ask questions. Remember to:

  16. Class Discussion

  17. Petition of 1779 by slaves of Fairfield County for the abolition of Slavery in Connecticut Prime and Prince think that the colonies should revolt against Great Britain because the cause of liberty is a noble cause. They admire the Patriots for fighting for their liberty. They are fighting for a similar cause in their petition. They wish to gain their freedom from the detestable practice and sin of slavery.

  18. Do you think Prime and Prince’s petition was effective in abolishing slavery? In reality both houses rejected the petition. It is chipping away at the institution of slavery though little by little. This petition was written in Connecticut and they abolished slavery in 1848 before the start of the Civil War. Even one petition by a slave can get people thinking about doing the right thing.

  19. Lord Dunmore wrote this proclamation to convince colonists to join the British army. He tells all men that are able to carry a weapon to join. He offers freedom to any slave or indentured servant that joins. Lord Dunmore proclaims that anyone that does not support the British in this revolution is committing treason and is a traitor to their country, Great Britain. Lord Dunmore does not agree with the colonists’ revolt. Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation

  20. How do you think the Patriots responded to Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation? Many slaveholders were upset because their slaves were running away to join the Loyalist army. George Washington and the Second Continental Congress were hesitant to offer the same deal to African Americans to fight for his army because of this but eventually needed for more soldiers. Washington and Congress conceded and allowed African Americans to join in exchange for freedom too.

  21. Here are the answer keys for the documents you didn’t read.

  22. Thumbs up? Thumbs down?

  23. Thumbs up? Thumbs down?

  24. Thumbs up? Thumbs down?

  25. Compare the African-American perspectives from today’s readings. Lord Dunmore doesn’t want the colonists to revolt, whereas Prince and Prime do want the colonists to revolt. They both have different motives for their decisions, but are furthering their own causes. Lord Dunmore is willing to free the slaves so they can fight in his army and prevent the colonists from breaking away. Prince and Prime want the slaves freed to have better lives. They relate this quest for freedom to the colonies’ quest for liberty from Great Britain.

  26. Wrap Up Discussion Should the colonists have revolted against Great Britain? What was the African- American perspective?

  27. Pass in the History Lab Document Logs you completed on your own.

  28. Now that we’ve analyzed the white male, female, Native-American, and African-American perspectives, you should have a solid understanding of the multiple perspectives that influenced the decision to revolt against Great Britain. Tomorrow, we will have a debate!

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