African Americans fought on both sides of the American Revolution. At the beginning of the war, Britain appealed to slaves to join the British war efforts. Many slaves were promised their freedom for fighting for the British.
African Americans fought for the American side as well. As many as five thousand African American freedmen and slaves joined the Continental Army. Some fought because they believed in the cause, while others fought for money. Some escaped from slavery and joined the fighting, while others fought in exchange for their freedom. Some African Americans used their experience as slaves to write about freedom during this time period. Phyllis Wheatley, an African American slave in Boston, was a strong supporter of the revolution. She wrote poems about slavery and freedom, which won her international fame. She even wrote a poem praising George Washington. African Americans also contributed to the war by producing food for the Continental Army from the fields they farmed.
