Final Essay Actual

Intro Paragraph: The American Revolution in 1775 was a historical event in which the American colonies claimed freedom and independence from the British Empire. Underneath the surface, the American Revolution spread roots across deeper issues such as labour rights, economic turmoil, racial discrimination and American propaganda and patriotism. No figure in American history had such a significant impact on these four quarters of the American identity as Crispus Attucks. As the catalyst of the American Revolution, Crispus Attucks was an advocate for social change and national assertion in the face of British Tyranny. As a result, he became a symbol of American freedom throughout his life, and of racial equality in his legacy. Paragraph 2: Crispus Attucks was an African American, Bostonian, fugitive who had once been a slave but had escaped and now worked as a dockworker. The citizens of Boston were frustrated with the constant political, social, and economic problems created by Britain. Boston dockworkers were particularly irritated because of the increased presence of British soldiers at the docks. This irritation lead to riot which would become known as the Boston Massacre which took place March 5, 1770. Crispus lead a group of forty to fifty men brandishing clubs, snowballs, and rocks. This riot would lead to the death of Crispus Attucks and four other colonists. Crispus Attucks became an instant martyr for liberty and would be immortalized by citizens of Boston who would forever remember the heroic African American who was “the first to defy, the first to die.” Propagandist such as Samuel Adams would use this event dubbing it a massacre as a way to spur American feelings against Britain. Samuel Adams effectively changed the view point of many Bostonians by using Crispus Attucks. The bravery and attentions of Crispus Attucks were stretched by American patriots but had the intended affect. This event changed the relationship of Colonial American and Britain and is seen as a major cause of the revolution. Although Crispus Attucks is often remembered for his role in the starting of the American revolution. Crispus Attucks is also remembered for the role he played in providing a hero to enslaved African Americans who was also respect by white Americans. Crispus Attucks fight for freedom united both white and black Americans both fighting for freedoms but a freedom of different nature. This event was of major importance to the cause of the American revolution. Crispus Attucks became an instant hero for the Bostonians who remembered him as a man who had the determination to stand up against the British. Crispus Attucks inspired a country which was supported by slavery and black oppression. ----- (repetitive and unrelated) Defending the soldiers was John Adams who would later become the second president of the United States he argued the soldiers were simply doing their duty, acting out of fear. John Adams turned Crispus Attucks into a villain, “He had the Hardiness to fall upon them and with one hand took a bayonet, and with the other knocked the man

down” to defend his case. Although the soldiers were acquitted of the charges American passion flared.

Crispus Attucks was able to inspire the colony of Boston despite its racial and discriminative ways. "He is one of the most important figures in African-American history, not for what he did for his own race but for what he did for all oppressed people everywhere. He is a reminder that the African-American heritage is not only African but American and it is a heritage that begins with the beginning of America." Crispus lead a group of whites in a stand for liberty. Crispus Attucks united blacks and whites on the issues of the injustices of Crispus death and the cruelty of the British. (I do not want it to sound like because of Crispus Attucks blacks and whites became equal they were still discriminated against but they were united on this issue. “It was not long after the ʻMassacreʼ that the people found out that the slain leader was in reality a mulatto who went by the name Crispus Attucks. Surprisingly the radicals did not care, black, red, or white, martyr was a martyr. Whatever the deceased might have been in life, however insignificant or vicious, in death Attucks and the other four men became murdered monuments to British oppression. Crispus Attucks became a symbolic representative for the slogan “Liberty or death.” The slogan was used by American patriots throughout the Revolutionary, keeping the memory of Attucks alive. Blacks and white for the first time were united (not really but its hard to explain things were still the same accept Crispus Attucks was a hero to both of them.) both saw Crispus as a protect of liberty.

Attucks memory would live on and would be remembered through the response of the citizens of Boston. The sacrifices of the men who had died for liberty would be forever remembered. (Awkward) A service was held for the brave victims of the massacre. Boston abolitionist Wendell Phillips stated on the first such occasion, "I place...this Crispus Attucks in the foremost rank of the men that dared." In Boston stores closed, church bells rang, and thousands of people from all different backgrounds and economic statuses gathered to pay their respects to there hero. Propagandist would use this event to get people to change people opinion on the British parliament and to motivate people to fight for American independence. The death of Crispus Attucks had it its desired its effect with the war starting only five years after. Protest turned developed into armed conflict in which the burning memories of the injustices towards Crispus Attucks by the British were remembered at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Which was fought by both African Americans and whites. ------ DO you think this part is in the right area if you donʼʼt where should it it go and where should the rest of th paragraph go Paragraph 4 “The Blood of Attucks nourished the tree of liberty,” for blacks Crispus Attucks impact was immediate. (Poor sentence structure?) He had become more then a war hero, he had become an inspiration to the American blacks representing the pursuit of freedom and respect through and uncompromisable determination..

Enslaved Africans had a hero who was once a slaved but through his own efforts and determinations was able to take his freedom. For “his spirit doubtless spurred New England Blacks to openly question the anomaly of human bondage in a nation about to be born and fighting for its independence under the slogan ʻLiberty or Death!ʼ” Enslaved Blacks increase the number of petitions to government officials a direct result of the impact of Crispus Attucks. Slaves saw the irony of America wanting independence but being a country that enslaved its own people. In a letter addressed to the governor, one slave wrote, “We expect great things from men who have made such a noble stand against the designs of their fellow-men to enslave them.” Attucks represent an enslaved oppressed people of African Americans that now saw their freedom and liberty as a possibility. Through his death Attucks unified African Americans in the belief of equality and freedom. Attucks had turned into a symbol, providing hope to the enslaved blacks of America. Crispus Attucks was able to stand up against British oppression rise above a much stronger a British force and succeed. Leading Blacks to consider armed conflict and rebellion as the only way to earn equality and freedom. (Paragraph structure, like sentences need to flow better needs work) Also where should I put the fact that blacks saw Crispus Attucks fighting and they saw the fact that he earned the respect of whites and so the want to fight.

Paragraph 5

The original method of defense used by the colonyʼs were militias which lacked diversity and agreed on the exclusion of the majority of African American from service in the colonial militias. Two reasons caused this lack of diversity firstly since the majority of the Africans in America were enslaved, many believed that the slaveʼs service to his master took prominence over any service that slave could provide to the colony as a militiaman. Second, there was the obvious fear of arming a portion of the population many of whom were enslaved and the rest treated as second class citizens. European colonial leaders recognized and realized they could take advantage of this turning the mistreated African Americans against the Patriots. The Continental army was an army formed by the colonies at the beginning of the Revolutionary war. The Continental Army is significant because of its use of African Americans in service as a result of the a declining number of willing white Americans to fight. Leaders of Congress agreed the shortage to be filled by blacks. American military leaders used the free African American population as soldiers recognizing there potential to fight for their liberties. Creating integrated units to fight the oppressive and much stronger British forces. Despite extreme racism and hostilities African Americans were (???) dealt with they were willing to fight, this they believed would earn them the respect of their fellow white Americans. While at the same time blacks were also fighting for certain Liberties such as equality. In order to defend its self the American colonies used the British militia system for the defense of the colonies.

Paragraph 6

In the South the British had been attempting to lure slaves away from their masters. Lord Dunmore issued the Dunmore proclamation November 7, 1775 with the goal of fueling his numbers, effecting the economy of the South, and creating chaos in the colonies forcing them to abandon the revolution. The proclamation led to the formation of the Royal Ethiopian Regiment which was a regiment consisting of primarily blacks. The proclamation was followed with another, the Philipsburg proclamation issued by Sir Henry Clinton four years after the Dunmore Proclamation stating that any enslaved person who deserted his rebel master would find protection with the British. He also warned that any African American soldier fighting for the rebels who were captured would be purchased for the public service.

Lord Cornwallis, on his march from the Carolinas to Virginia in 1780 and 1781 attracted many slaves who believed that his army offered them freedom from servitude. Corwallis refused for them to bear arms and put them to work as laborers where many died from disease. Attempt to disrupt the slaveholding Southʼs rhythm. American leaders were considering the enlistment of thousands of southern enslaved African Americans as well. Washington, having realized the detrimental effects that Dunmoreʼs proclamation would have on the existing American army (in terms of numbers), quickly reversed the policy that he once implemented; now stating that all African American could enlist.

Paragraph 7

Although African Americans were victims of racism and discrimination they were still taking a significant role in the hostilities in and around the British controlled Boston. Such as Crispus Attucks who had been was killed first in the Boston Massacre. Others include Prince Estabrook at the Battle of Lexington and Concord or Peter Salem at the Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775. Poor was honored for his bravery famously killing the British Major John Pitcairn. His commanding commemorate Poor by saying he “behave like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier...in the person of this said Negro centers a brave and gallant soldier.” In 1775 a militia from New England region held the British in Boston in check. This force would become the nucleus of the American Continental Army. Among the militiamen in service around Boston were men of African descent. General John Thomas stated that “We have some Negroes but I look upon them as equally serviceable with other men, for fatigue and in action” and that “many of them proved themselves brave.ʼ 1776 New York was under attack General

William Alexander ordered all able bodied African Americans to work alongside Continental Army troops who were preparing the cityʼs defenses. New Enlgand. With continuing Quotas set by congress. States, particularly New England had to allowed for anyone who volunteered for service to enlist including slaves. John Adams wrote that America should “set Liberty before their eyes as the Reward of their Valor and... we should find them sufficiently brave.” Virtually every Brigade at least one African American and most had considerably more then that. African Americans were a noticeable presence in practically every continental Army unit. The highest proportion of African Americans, one was a southern brigade.