What effect did Lord Dunmore's proclamation have on the Revolution? Be sure to consider the ...

Ideal Answer: The ideal answer should:
1. Explain that Lord Dunmore issued his proclamation to entice slaves to join his army.
2. Outline the perspective of the Patriots: the British were creating a race war by encouraging slaves to escape southern plantations.
3. Comment on the irony of the democratic basis of the War for Independence while Thomas Jefferson and George Washington lost their own slaves to the British side.
4. Comment on the elevated British opinion, which influenced the Americans, of black fighting ability in battle.
5. Outline the perspective of African-American slaves: Many chose freedom by fighting for the British, only to evacuate to other locations after the war.
6. Explain that the use of ex-slave troops by the British was significant in some battles.