what percentage was blacks in the navy during gulf war

At the time of the American Revolution, some Black men had already enlisted as minutemen. Prior to the revolution, many free African Americans supported the anti-British cause, most famously Crispus Attucks, believed to be the first person killed at the Boston Massacre. Main article: Black Patriot Engraving of Crispus Attucks being shot during the Boston Massacre. He is considered an iconic martyr of Patriots.

Ĭrispus Attucks was shot dead by British soldiers in the Boston Massacre in 1770 after he shouted, 'Kill them! Kill them! Knock them over!' while the soldiers were being battered with shells, ice, and coal by a mob armed with clubs.

Though between only 800–2,000 people who were enslaved reached Dunmore himself, the publication of both proclamations provided incentive for nearly 100,000 enslaved people across the American Colonies to escape, lured by the promise of freedom. Much of this number was seen after Dunmore's Proclamation, and subsequently the Philipsburg Proclamation issued by Sir Henry Clinton. In contrast, about 20,000 people escaped slavery, joined, and fought for the British army. Meaning that while they were only four percent of the manpower base, they comprised around a quarter of the Patriots' strength in terms of man-hours, though this includes supportive roles. Notably, the average length of time in service for an African American soldier during the war was four and a half years (due to many serving for the whole eight-year duration), which was eight times longer than the average period for white soldiers.

Of the 9,000 Black soldiers, 5,000 were combat-dedicated troops. Īs between 220,000 and 250,000 soldiers and militia served the American cause during the revolution in total, that would mean Black soldiers made up approximately four percent of the Patriots' numbers. Around 9,000 African Americans became Black Patriots. It is estimated that 20,000 African Americans joined the British cause, which promised freedom to enslaved people, as Black Loyalists. In the American Revolution, gaining freedom was the strongest motive for Black enslaved people who joined the Patriot or British armies.

What percentage was blacks in the navy during gulf war