During the American Revolution, both the Patriots and Loyalists recruited African Americans, offering freedom, pay, or other promises in exchange for service. Enslaved people and freedmen had to decide which side, if any, to support, often weighing which offered the best chance for liberty.
The decision was extremely difficult. Enslaved people had little control over their own lives, and even free African Americans lived under restrictions and prejudice. Choosing a side in the war meant entering a world filled with risk and uncertainty. The outcome was never guaranteed, and the path forward was rarely clear.
On the Patriot side, some African Americans were forced into service by enslavers. Others volunteered to fight for pay, adventure, or the hope of freedom and greater rights in the new nation. They served in both integrated units and all-Black military groups. They fought with militias in battles across the colonies. In addition to serving as infantrymen and cooks, they also worked as spies, musicians, sailors, and skilled tradesmen.
For the Loyalists, the main appeal was the British promise of freedom. In 1775, Virginia’s governor, Lord Dunmore, promised freedom to enslaved people if they escaped their owners and joined the British. Thousands fled and served as soldiers, laborers, guides, and spies. Black Loyalist troops often faced risky missions. They were aware that being caught could mean going back to slavery.
British service also led to relocation after the war. Around 3,000 black Loyalists were evacuated to Nova Scotia, and some later moved to Sierra Leone. Life in these areas was tough. Still, many felt the risk was worth it to escape slavery.
In both Patriot and Loyalist armies, African Americans proved their skill and determination. They fought from the first shots to the final sieges, often enduring harsh conditions. They joined for different reasons, but their service was vital. It showed the tough choices enslaved people had to make in a country fighting for freedom.