|
Black British Loyalist, American Revolution
Painting by Copley, 1782-1784. Tate Gallery.
A new influx of freedom-seeking blacks reached Florida
during the American Revolution (1775-1783), when American slaves
agreed to fight for the British in exchange for liberty. (Florida
remained under British control throughout the conflict.) During the
Revolution,
hundreds of black refugees forged new ties to Seminole Indians in
Florida, many of whom also fought as British allies. Ironically, the
American struggle for independence spawned new enemies on the Southern
frontier -- blacks and Indians seeking the same rights of
self-determination.
|
