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Quiz for Thinking Like a Historian:
The Black Soldier’s Dilemma

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1. For which of the following reasons might Lord Dunmore (source 1) have proclaimed in 1775 that he would grant freedom to all “indentured Servants [and] Negroes . . . that are able and willing to bear Arms” on behalf of Great Britain?

Dunmore believed that forced labor in the forms of indentured servitude and slavery were contrary to British law.

He believed that servants and slaves who performed physical work would make effective soldiers.

Dunmore needed to bolster the size of his armies and believed he could do so using slaves and servants.

He hoped to exacerbate slave owners’ fears about the impact of the rebellion on the institution of slavery.

Correct. The answer is d. Dunmore recognized that slave owners dreaded the loss or rebellion of their slaves, and his proclamation sought to increase their fears about the impact of a war for independence on the institution of slavery.

Incorrect. The answer is d. Dunmore recognized that slave owners dreaded the loss or rebellion of their slaves, and his proclamation sought to increase their fears about the impact of a war for independence on the institution of slavery.

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2. Why did the Virginia General Assembly (source 2) issue such a strongly worded response to Lord Dunmore’s proclamation?

The assembly believed it necessary to defend Virginian’s property rights against the British.

Virginians feared that many slaves would desert their masters or rise up against them.

The assembly believed that the British were dishonest and intended to transport slaves to the West Indies.

Most assemblymen’s slaves had gone to the British, and they aimed to have the slaves return.

Correct. The answer is b. The Virginia assembly took a strong stand against Dunmore’s proclamation, threatening death to any slave who joined the British cause, in order to discourage the colony’s slaves from rebelling against the white population.

Incorrect. The answer is b. The Virginia assembly took a strong stand against Dunmore’s proclamation, threatening death to any slave who joined the British cause, in order to discourage the colony’s slaves from rebelling against the white population.

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3. Considered together, sources 3 and 4 might lead a historian to which of the following conclusions?

Slaves fought against the Patriots, while free blacks fought the British.

Northern slaves fought with the British, but Southern slaves joined the Patriots.

Some slaves fought with the British, but some also joined the Patriot cause.

Lord Dunmore’s proclamation influenced slaves, but the Virginia assembly’s response did not.

Correct. The answer is c. The slave Titus (source 3) escaped and fought with the British, while source 4 describes a mixed regiment with slaves and free African Americans fighting for the Patriot cause.

Incorrect. The answer is c. The slave Titus (source 3) escaped and fought with the British, while source 4 describes a mixed regiment with slaves and free African Americans fighting for the Patriot cause.

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4. Why might Louisiana governor Bernardo de Gálvez (source 4) have made a point of praising the contributions of black soldiers to the Patriot cause?

He hoped it would influence the Patriot leaders to abolish slavery.

He wanted to show that African Americans were not inferior to whites.

He wanted to attract escaped American slaves to Louisiana.

He aimed to show American leaders that all of his people supported them.

Correct. The answer is d. It is most likely that Gálvez, who was Spanish, wanted to demonstrate that all of his subjects—slaves and free Spaniards—supported the American cause.

Incorrect. The answer is d. It is most likely that Gálvez, who was Spanish, wanted to demonstrate that all of his subjects—slaves and free Spaniards—supported the American cause.

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5. What does Jehu Grant’s narrative (source 6) suggest about why he joined the Patriot forces during the American Revolution?

He believed the Patriots would set him free in exchange for his service.

He feared that his master would sell him to the British troops.

He believed that the Americans were being made slaves to the British.

He disagreed with his master’s support of British rule of the colonies.

Correct. The answer is b. Grant suggests that he joined the Patriot forces because he feared that his master might sell him to the British troops whose ships were anchored nearby.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Grant suggests that he joined the Patriot forces because he feared that his master might sell him to the British troops whose ships were anchored nearby.

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6. Which of the following Patriot values trumped slaves’ individual liberties during and after the American Revolution?

Respect for property rights

Opposition to taxation

An emphasis on representative government

A commitment to equality

Correct. The answer is a. The Patriots’ emphasis on and respect for property rights trumped slaves’ individual liberties during and after the Revolution. The Patriot leaders allowed slavery to persist so as not to interfere with the property rights of slave owners.

Incorrect. The answer is a. The Patriots’ emphasis on and respect for property rights trumped slaves’ individual liberties during and after the Revolution. The Patriot leaders allowed slavery to persist so as not to interfere with the property rights of slave owners.

Quiz for Thinking Like a Historian:The Black Soldier’s Dilemma

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Quiz for Thinking Like a Historian:
The Black Soldier’s Dilemma