Name:_______________________________________

Black Regiments of the Revolution 1. How many African Americans fought alongside the British in
Black regiments in the American Revolution fought on both sides of the the American Revolution?
war. It is thought that about five thousand fought as Patriots. About a. 5,000
twenty thousand fought alongside the British. Slaves were offered their b. 20,000
freedom in return for joining the army. Some were actually given their c. 800
freedom at the conclusion of the war. Some were lied to. They were sadly d. none of the above
returned to slavery at the end of the American Revolution.
Thousands of African Americans fought alongside the British. Many were 2. How many African Americans fought alongside the Patriots in
escaped slaves. In return for their military service, the British promised the American Revolution?
them their freedom. Lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia, called for slaves a. 5,000
to leave their Patriot masters and join his Ethiopian Regiment. He offered to b. 20,000
free them from slavery, and 800 men joined his black-only regiment. c. 800
The British regular army had some fears about the armed blacks. They d. none of the above
thought they might start slave rebellions. The Black Pioneers were an
offshoot of the Ethiopian Regiment. They carried out laboring duties. This 3. What was Lord Dunmores role in the American Revolution?
meant they performed jobs like road building. This freed up other soldiers a. He was a Black Colonel.
for combat duty. b. He was a mean leader who offered slavery.
Many free African Americans supported the Patriot cause leading up to c. He was a prince of England who wanted slaves to
the American Revolution. An African American is believed to be the first revolt.
person killed at the Boston Massacre. Crispus Attucks was shot. He was d. He called for slaves to leave their Patriot masters and
killed by British soldiers in 1770. He is an iconic martyr to Patriots. Some join his Ethiopian Regiment. He offered to free them from
African Americans had already been enlisted as Minutemen by the start of slavery, and 800 men joined his black-only regiment.
the war. Revolutionary leaders had great fear of using African Americans
4. What was NOT something that happened to African Americans
as soldiers. They were afraid that slaves who were armed would rebel
that served in the American Revolution?
against them. Slave owners became concerned that military service would
a. Offered freedom to join the army
eventually free their property. There was a shortage of volunteers that
b. Given freedom at the conclusion
joined the Continental Army to begin with. African American slaves and
c. Lied to and returned to slavery
freemen were allowed to enter its ranks. Rhode Island enlisted slaves and
d. Paid wages like white soldiers
freemen into the 1st Rhode Island Regiment in 1778. It was known as the
Black Regiment even though it had many white soldiers as well. About 88
5. What fears did both the British and Patriots have
slaves joined its ranks. All were given their freedom. Black men were not
about using slaves as soldiers?
just soldiers. African Americans also served as guides. They were
a. They would earn their freedom.
messengers. Some were even spies for the Continental Army. African b. They might rebel.
American Peter Salem is credited with the shooting of British Major c. They might leave the country.
Pitcairn at the battle of Bunker Hill. d. They might take over the colonies. Bow Tie Guy 2017