Comparative Analysis African Americans in New York City Amid the Upheavals of 1776 Documents 6.2 and 6.3
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
African Americans in New York City Amid the Upheavals of 1776
On July 9, the day New York’s Provincial Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, a rowdy crowd of soldiers and civilians toppled a statue of King George III. However, an etching of the event presents it as the work of African Americans, with most whites simply observing (Document 6.2). In a second etching, by François Xavier Haberman (Document 6.3), Manhattan burns only days after British troops occupied the city. The fire, which may have been purposely set, burnt a mile-long swath. Here, redcoats beat suspected patriots while white and black residents carry items from burning buildings.
Document 6.2
Slaves Destroy Statue of King George III in New York City, July 1776
Document 6.3
A Fire Burns British-Occupied New York City, September 1776
Interpret the Evidence
Why might an American artist depict the destruction of the statue of King George III as the work mainly of blacks? What roles are whites playing in this portrayal?
What meanings might be attached to black and white residents carrying items out of burning buildings after the British occupation of Manhattan? Why are the blacks here and in Document 6.2 shown as barely clothed?
Put It in Context
Given the limited choices available to most African Americans during the American Revolution, what advantages (or disadvantages) were created by the patriots or the British gaining control of areas where they lived?
Exploring American HistoriesPrinted Page 181
Exploring American Histories Value EditionPrinted Page 134
Chapter Timeline