Was Slavery a Cause of the Revolutionary War? Yes.

[Nye Bevan]

On June 22, 1772, nearly a century before the slaves were freed in America, a British judge, with a single decision, brought about the conditions that would end slavery in England. His decision would have monumental consequences in the American colonies, leading up to the American Revolution, the Civil War, and beyond. Because of that ruling, history would forever be changed. This book is about that decision and the role of slavery in the founding of the United States. ( from Slave Nation: How Slavery United The Colonies And Sparked The American Revolution, by Alfred and Ruth Blumrosen)

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In June of 1772, the British courts issued judgement in what is called the Somerset Case. The case involved a runaway slave, James Somerset, who was the “property” of Charles Stewart, a customs officer from Boston, Massachusetts. Stewart and Somerset came to England from America in 1769. During his time in England, Somerset was exposed to the free black community there, and was inspired to escape his master in late 1771.

Somerset’s escape was not successful; he was caught, and was to be sent (for sale?) to the British colony of Jamaica. However, Somerset was defended and supported by abolitionists who went to court on his behalf, and prevented his being shipped to Jamaica. As noted in Wikipedia, “The lawyers… on behalf of Somerset… argued that while colonial laws might permit slavery, neither the common law of England nor any law made by Parliament recognized the existence of slavery, and slavery was therefore illegal.”

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The book goes on to tell how major decisions made by the Americans-such as the agreement to break from British rule, the wording of the Declaration of Independence, and the formulation of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution-were all done in a manner that protected the right of the South to maintain slavery. For example: in early drafts of the Declaration of Independence, the language that said “All men are born equally free and independent” was changed by Thomas Jefferson to “All men were created equal” to prevent the implication that slaves should be free.

In the end, though, the Revolutionary War did not prevent the conflict over slavery from coming to a head; it merely delayed it.

https://allotherpersons.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/did-slavery-cause-of-the-revolutionary-war-yes-book-review-of-slave-nation/

Interesting.

[LanternWaste]

1. Wood, Simpson, Chalmers, Leahman, Stanley and the host of other historians, published experts in th

No doubt we have to rationalize that which validates our biases, though Wood, Simpson, Chalmers, Leahman, Stanley and the host of other historians, published experts in this specific conflict would disagree with the authors editorial.

[kydo]

2. Well, that taxes and guns.

Pretty much the American Revolution was about not wanting to pay taxes, not bow to a King, blah blah leave us alone and we still get slaves. But yet they wanted the King to send armies to protect them from the Native Americans. Go figure. Kind of reminds me of the current bagger party whining, no taxes, no blacks, no gays, no muslims, just lots of guns for white people only, oh and they hate the President cause he is black.

Slavery has always been part of the USA, sadly.

All symbols from the confederate south should be removed and banned like all Nazi crap was in Germany after WW2. They lost, they were racists and traitors wanting to form their own country. Why should that be celebrated with statues, memorials and flags? It shouldn't.