Why Did Black Soldiers Fight for the British in the Revolutionary War?
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Patriots or loyalists: who did Black soldiers fight for in the Revolutionary War? We uncover the surprising answer, the broken promises made, and the fight for abolition that followed the American Revolution.
Hosted by Harini Bhat, In The Margins covers the history they didn’t teach in school, exploring obscure, yet captivating tales that offer unique insights into their time and place.
Check out more from Harini Bhat @tilscience!
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0:00 Intro to Black Revolutionary War Soldiers
1:22 Start of the Continental Army and experience of Black soldiers
2:33 Dunmore Proclamation and Black Loyalists
3:19 Continental Army and General Washington Response
3:34 Broken Promises of Fairness, Freedom, and Land to Black soldiers
7:58 Experiences of Black soldiers, Sierra Leone, and inspired rights movements
9:22 US Constitution 3/5 clause, Conclusion
Note: at 8:17 the map shows Freetown, Sierra Leone in the wrong location. It should be further north and west.
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August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
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@Andrew-mo9gp
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
Typical Yanks, trying to make themselves seem less bad. By and large Britain kept its word to the Black troops. Hell, when the US invaded Canada, a black veteran in his sixties petitioned to re-enlist. He could have stayed safe on his farm, but feared the US conquering Canada so much he wanted to fight.
@Rdfelic
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
Do people forget that Slavery was the norm for thousands of years in every race, culture, country, and continent. Why are they trying to compare history to today's norm.
@BePatient888
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
Content like this is a good self barometer of your own attitudes regarding colorism and Black people. This is simply American History. There is no "other side" to present, as Linda McMahon, Trump's Head of the Department of Education suggested in a recent Congressional hearing. The facts about how these events took place are what they are.
@SIXITHS
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
5:55 – "most found themselves in service roles rather then as soldiers…"
You say that like it is a bad thing. I am not sure you fully grasp the horrors of a 18th century battlefield to even be able to come out with that.
I get you are trying to 'both sides' this, but that criticism was absurd.
@cammiekitchens5509
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
64 year old Black Man from Mississippi Here. Sending this video to my Two sons Young Nices and Nephews. Keep up this Great work.
Gods speed to you and all that participated in making this video.
@Ruru-m2l
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
Strange how blacks don't complain about reparations from the Arab Slave Traders?
@tooturnt5465
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
They fought on both sides especially in the civil war forced or not but on both sides they were not given the same rights. black ncos only commanded other blacks
@mosquito103
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
I remember celebrating the Bicentennial in elementary school and coming to conclusion as a kid that I would have joined the British. Asked why? I told them the English abolished slavery decades sooner. The struggle continues. The reactionary purge going on in the US military reflects this. Just think how game changing the American revolution could have been had it included full emancipation of black slaves. Harry S. Truman said "history is one damn thing after another." Recent events and history is speaking loud and clear. The fight for justice, equality and civil rights is never over.
@DaddyDoom24
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
When black people talk about the real history. Most times it’s met with “stop playing victim”
@IAMWATER7
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
AND THEY WONDER WHY.
@Ricky911_
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
I appreciate that there is a video talking about this but the bias towards the US couldn't be any more obvious. The part that makes it super clear is when the video mentions how black free men who were relocated to Canada faced starvation, low paying jobs and a lack of access to education. Does the narrator think the average person in the UK used to live luxurious lives back then? Are they aware that most children in the UK during this period were commonly cleaning chimneys just to live by and that very few could get an education? Even the part about hate crime is unnecessary, as it's expected when hate crimes literally happen today as well. Not to mention that the 3rd point about land wasn't even complete. Both sides were talked about regarding freedom and fairness yet the part about land only mentions Britain for some reason. Somersett's case in 1772 already ruled that slavery was not supported by the common rule of England. Britain even tried to protect natives in Western lands with the proclamation of 1763 but the colonists didn't like it. Americans like to believe their independence just came from taxation and representation but this stuff is conveniently left out. As great as it is that this video talks about the reality of American slaves, the way how it's portrayed feels like hearing someone say something like "the Partisans were against the Nazis but it's important to remember that many were Socialist and some were antisemitic or they stole people's cows". That's what watching this video feels like. Even despite the patriots' cause for independence, an objective video on the matter would state that there is a very clear moral high ground on Britain's side.
@romecottrell6444
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
These black men and women who fought against the British during the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the 13 Colonies found that after the war was over and the 13 Colonies gain their independence from Great Britain 🇬🇧 the soldiers who were black men and women was forced back into slavery in the U.S.A What a huge LIE 🙄 by the British Government and the U.S.A Government. So the African Americans ancestors and their descendants were LIED to by the British Government and the U.S.A Government.
@AmericanofColor-p4y
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
those INVESTED IN WHITE IDENTITY RACISM slavery [as punishment for a crime] is abolished disinformation lack CAPACITY FOR HONESTY
All living humans descend from a place We the People now call south Sahara Africa – in an unbroken line purely through our mothers, & through the mothers of those mothers, back until all lines converge on one woman
Africans passing free of the blemish of color white separate race in AMERICA – making all non-Europeans – “Negroes…” aka "BLACKS" as law put it – “slaves to all intents & purposes” a 1682 law included first documented use in the English-speaking colonies of the word “white”
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people
https://youtu.be/CJdT6QcSbQ0
American people of color
@TheSuzberry
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
Let’s talk Franklin, Tennessee.
@edwardsdeacon
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
🤔 You left out the part that the British king was black as were many of the British soldiers. And both the British and Americans captured and enslaved the blacks that fought and that’s why no Negro/black person should ever celebrate the Fourth of July .
@asalaam0069
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
So much "Important and Valuable information" I didn't know
@citizenx4750
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
Another example of whiteness speaking with fork tongue, as per history in this country.
Not like us
@EyeOfTheWatcher
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
The Rock's family, on his Dad side, choose fighting for the British for their freedom.
@ImaniNile
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
After completing the survey I remembered this curiousity. The PBS 2020 series on Asian Americans makes mention of South Asians (India?) coming to America in the late 1700s. I'd like to learn more about these people.
@kevinsanders5308
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 am
This was great! The only gripe I have is that some of the historians kept saying “black and brown” and “men of color”. Those are inclusive terms, this history was exclusively to black slaves and freedmen. The only immigrants at that time were of European descent. American history should not be diluted in such a fashion. Teaching history with a slant is just as bad as not teaching history at all.
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