AR - Roles in the American Revolution (Lesson)
Roles in the American Revolution
Through a variety of roles, the American Revolutionary War was won. However, victory was not for all.
Women
Women filled a variety of roles during the American Revolution. Early on, the Daughters of Liberty worked alongside their male counterparts of the Sons of Liberty to protest British actions and boycott British goods. The Daughters of Liberty would boycott British luxury items. They also created “spinning bees”, or groups that would weave and loom cloth to avoid purchasing British cloth.
When the Revolutionary War began women’s roles increased. Large numbers of women would travel with the soldiers. Women took on roles as cooks, seamstresses, and nurses. Officers' wives would also accompany them and help to fill similar roles in camp. There are accounts, although often disputed, of women fighting in battle. The most famous is the legend of “Molly Pitcher”; a wife who while tending to the soldiers by bringing water, then took a position to help fire cannons.
Most intriguing were the women who served as spies during the Revolutionary War. As British Army would take up encampments, they would often hire local colonial women to wash, cook, and sew for them. The patriot women would then eavesdrop on British plans and later report back to Continental leaders. Likewise, the British would plant Loyalist women to work in Continental camps and report back to British leaders.
Native Americans
Most Native American tribes in the west sided with the British during the American Revolutionary War. Having worked with the British during the French and Indian War and benefited from the Proclamation of 1763, which prevented further settlement into their territories by American colonists, Native American tribes of the west trusted the British Army. Other Native American tribes in the east were more likely to support the American colonists. Even so, those tribes were in such small numbers they had little impact on the outcome of the war. To further drive distrust among Native Americans and American colonist’s relationship, the 1783 Treaty of Paris provided no rights or assurances to Native American tribes in North America.
Free and Enslaved Africans
The American Revolutionary War could have been an opportunity for enslaved and free Africans living in the American colonies. Some enslaved Africans escaped into western territories and south into Florida. Others fought or served with the warring sides. Estimates vary on how many persons of African descent fought with the Continental Army. Others worked in the encampments or building roads and entrenchments to serve the military. In either circumstance, the outcome of the war had no impact on their rights or freedom. Enslaved Africans were similarly utilized in the British Army. Not only did they perform similar duties as their Continental Army counterparts, but many were enlisted to fight in limited capacity in Black regiments. However, the enslaved Africans under British control were offered their freedom in exchange for their service. Their histories after the war vary, but many were able to find new lives in Canada and Europe. Enslaved Africans associated to Patriot owners remained in a captive state. Enslaved Africans associated to Loyalist owners were moved to British controlled islands of the Caribbean where they returned to similar work and conditions. Upon the end of the war, most enslaved and free Africans found their lives no better than before.
Women as Spies?
Use your own research and the resources in this module to learn more about women working as spies during the American Revolution. Detail four ways women were utilized in clandestine roles.