The Negro in the American Revolution

The Negro in the American Revolution examines the participation and experiences of Black Americans during the Revolutionary War period, documenting their roles on both the British and American sides of the conflict. Quarles reconstructs the motivations, actions, and outcomes for enslaved and free Black people who had to navigate complex choices during wartime. The book covers military service, intelligence gathering, labor contributions, and the social dynamics that shaped Black involvement in the war. The narrative traces developments from the early stages of colonial unrest through the post-war period, highlighting key figures and events. Quarles draws on primary sources including military records, personal correspondence, and government documents to present this overlooked aspect of Revolutionary history. This groundbreaking 1961 study reveals the inherent contradictions between America's fight for independence and its maintenance of slavery, while establishing Black people as active agents in shaping their own destiny during a pivotal moment in history.

Readers cite this as one of the first books to document Black participation on both sides of the American Revolution in detail. Many note Quarles' thorough research and use of primary sources to illuminate roles that other history books overlooked. Readers appreciated: - Clear documentation of Black patriots and loyalists - Focus on individuals' personal stories and motivations - Balanced coverage of both American and British perspectives Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited discussion of women's roles - Some outdated 1960s terminology Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) "Filled gaps in my understanding of the period" - Goodreads reviewer "Important research but dry reading" - Amazon reviewer "Should be required reading for American history students" - Goodreads reviewer "Writing is formal but the stories are compelling" - Amazon reviewer

Black Patriots and Loyalists by Alan Gilbert This military history chronicles both free and enslaved African Americans who fought on both sides of the American Revolution, expanding on themes introduced in Quarles' work with new primary source material.

Liberty's Exiles by Maya Jasanoff The book traces the paths of Black Loyalists who fled to other parts of the British Empire after the American Revolution, providing context for the post-war period Quarles discusses.

Slave Nation by Alfred W. Blumrosen, Ruth G. Blumrosen This work examines how slavery influenced the American Revolution and the Constitution, building upon Quarles' exploration of the relationship between slavery and independence.

The Counter-Revolution of 1776 by Gerald Horne This study presents the American Revolution as a conservative counter-revolution launched by colonists who sought to preserve slavery, offering a different perspective on the period Quarles examines.

Many Thousands Gone by Ira Berlin The book details the first two centuries of African American slavery, providing deeper context for the revolutionary period that Quarles focuses on in his work.

🔷 Benjamin Quarles was one of the first professional African-American historians and taught at Morgan State University for over 40 years, helping establish it as a center for black historical research. 🔷 The book, published in 1961, was the first comprehensive study of Black participation in the American Revolution and remains a foundational text in the field. 🔷 Both enslaved and free Black soldiers served on both sides of the conflict - with the British forces promising freedom to those who joined their cause, while the Continental Army initially restricted Black enrollment. 🔷 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation of 1775, discussed extensively in the book, offered freedom to enslaved people who joined British forces, causing approximately 100,000 enslaved people to flee to British lines during the war. 🔷 The book reveals that despite their significant contributions to both sides of the Revolutionary War, many Black patriots who gained their freedom through military service later faced re-enslavement in the early years of the American republic.