Final Question: Compare/Contrast the roles played in the American Revolution by women, African Americans, and foreigners.

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1 The Roles of Women, African Americans and Foreigners in the American Revolution DBQ Historical Context: -1st Rhode Island Regiment at the Battle of Bloody Run Brook Men and women from all walks of life were caught up in the American Revolution. Women served in a variety of ways, including a few who fought on the battlefield. African Americans, free and enslaved alike, served and became some of the war s earliest heroes. Volunteers from Europe played important roles in the Continental Army, as well. General Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying documents (1-8). As you analyze the documents, take into account both the source of each document and the author s point of view. Be sure to: 1. Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about this topic. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine? 2. Now, read each document carefully, highlighting key phrases and words that address the document-based question. You may also wish to add comments or notes. Answer the questions that follow each document. 3. Based on your own knowledge and on the information found in the documents, formulate a thesis that directly answers the question. 4. Organize supportive and relevant information into your answers. 5. Answer the Final Question! Final Question: Compare/Contrast the roles played in the American Revolution by women, African Americans, and foreigners.

2 Document #1 The Edenton Ladies' Patriotic Guild signed the following agreement on 25 October It was subsequently published in British newspapers: The provincial deputies of North Carolina having resolved [agreed] not to drink any more tea nor wear any more British cloth, etc., many ladies of this province have determined to give a memorable proof of their patriotism, and have accordingly entered into the following honorable and spirited association. I send it to you to show your fair countrywomen how zealously and faithfully American ladies follow the laudable example of their husbands, and what opposition your matchless ministers may expect to receive from a people, thus firmly united against them: -- Edenton, North Carolina, October 25 (1774). As we cannot be indifferent on any occasion that appears nearly to affect the peace and happiness of our country, and as it has been thought necessary, for the public good, to enter into several particular resolves by a meeting of members deputed from the whole province, it is a duty which we owe, not only to our near and dear connections, who have concurred in them, but to ourselves, who are essentially interested in their welfare, to do everything, as far as lies in our power, to testify our sincere adherence to the same.... Excerpt from "Edenton Ladies' Agreement," 27 October 1774, which appeared in the Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser, 16 January A. According to the above document, how did the ladies of North Carolina plan to prove their patriotism? 1B. Why do you think it was important to these women to sign this agreement?

3 Document #2 Despite their low positions in society, women did participate. On the home front, they sewed uniforms and knitted stockings for soldiers. With their husbands away fighting, some women had to take over as weavers, carpenters, blacksmiths, or shipbuilders. Others transformed their homes into hospitals for the wounded. Both man and women fought on the battlefield. Hundreds of women served as nurses, laundresses, cooks there were some that actually engaged in battle Deborah Sampson put on men s clothing and called herself Robert Shirtliffe in order to enlist in the Army. Robert Shirtliffe fought courageously; his company defeated marauding Indians north of Ticonderoga. -Tina Ann Nguyen, American Athenas: Women in the Revolution 2A. What kinds of jobs did women take over from men during the American Revolution? 2B. How did Deborah Sampson manage to enlist as a solider in the army?

4 Document #3 -Molly Pitcher at the Battle on Monmouth 3A. According to legend, Molly Pitcher took over the cannon after her husband dropped from exhaustion. What seems to be the reaction of the other soldiers? 3B. How is Molly Pitcher represented in this engraving?

5 Document #4 The following paragraph was part of an obituary for a leader of the Ladies' Association of Philadelphia. We hear from Maryland, that the most liberal contributions have been made by the women of that State, for the assistance of the army, -- That some individuals have presented 15 guineas -- that in one of the smallest and most remote counties, have been collected upwards of 60,000 dollars -- that a considerable part of the sums collected has been laid out in the purchase of linen, and a thousand shirts are already made up; no woman of whatever quality neglecting the honour of assisting with her own hands to make them up. The women of this city [Philadelphia] have been employed in like manner, which, when it is related in Europe, will be a signal honour to our cause. Those disposed to lessen [hurt] the reputation of female patriotism might have said that what our women have contributed, must, in the first instance, have come from the pockets of their husbands; but, where their own labour is bestowed, the most delicate fingers being employed in the workmanship, it must be acknowledged an effort of virtue, the praise of which must peculiarly belong to -- Excerpt from Esther Reed Obituary, Pennsylvania Gazette, 27 September A. In what two ways did women contribute to the American Revolution? 4B. Why was it important to the women to actually make the shirts themselves?

6 Document #5 The Militia Act of the summer of 1775 had required that all free male persons, hired servants, and apprentices between the ages of 16 and 50 years be enrolled or forced into companies. This excluded slaves by definition, but free blacks were registered, though without arms. Many a runaway told the nearest recruiter that he was a freeman, anxious to fight. More often than not, he was accepted without too many questions; the army was short of men. During the winter of , dozens of black Virginians served in every one of the state regiments, freezing, starving and dying at Valley Forge. By February 1778, the survivors were marching with white comrades through the snow, practicing Baron von Steuben s drill. Eight weeks later, an army report listed 755 blacks in the Continental Army, including 138 Blacks in the Virginia Line. -Robert Selig The Revolution s Black Soldiers, A. What group of people did the Militia Act of 1775 affect? 5B. How did runaway slaves manage to serve in the army despite the ban on slaves?

7 Document #6 Blacks, who understood the literal meaning of patriot rhetoric, eagerly took up the cause of American freedom, fighting bravely in the early confrontations with the British. Blacks served at the battles of Lexington and Concord. Peter Salem, a freed slave, stood on the green at Lexington facing the British when the first battle broke out with the shot that was heard around the world. At least 20 blacks, including Peter Salem, were in the ranks two months later when the British attacked an American position outside Boston in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Salem has been honored for firing the shot that killed Major John Pitcairn, the British officer who led the Redcoats when they had attacked his small unit at Lexington. Source: 6A. Why did so many slaves join the American cause in the Revolutionary War? 6B. What do you think blacks hoped to gain by fighting in the war? 6C. How did Peter Salem help to win the Battle of Bunker Hill?

8 Document #7 With the first foreign material aid in 1777, the influx of foreign officers into the American Army began Most were adventurers in search of fortune Few were willing to accept anything but the highest ranks. Nevertheless, they brought with them the professional military knowledge and competence that the Continental Army sorely needed Louis DuPortail, a Frenchmen, and Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Pole, did much to advance the art of engineering in the Continental Army Johann de Kalb and Fredrich Wilhelm von Steuben, both Germans, and the Marquis de Lafayette, an influential French nobleman, who financed his own way, were all able to make valuable contributions as trainers and leaders. - The Winning of Independence, American Military History, A. Why were foreign officers welcomed into the Continental Army? 7B. What specific contributions did foreign volunteers make to the Continental Army?

9 Document #8 -Count de Rochambeau, French General of the Land Forces in America Reviewing the French Troops, British cartoon, A. This cartoon was drawn by a British artist. In it he shows the French troops in America. Why would the British care if there were French troops in America? 8B. How can you tell that the artist was trying to make fun of the French troops. What effect would this have on the British troops? Directions Part B (52 points):

10 Final Question: Directions: Write a well-organized response that answers: Compare the roles of the following groups during the American Revolutionary War: Women African Americans Foreigners