During the Revolutionary War, black soldiers fought for both the Continental army and the British army. Those who fought for the British were often promised freedom, but that promise was mostly unfulfilled.
Category Archives: Building a Democracy
Dunlap Broadside History
Visit this online exhibit to learn about the Dunlap Broadside, one of the first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence.
How The Voting Rights Act Came To Be And How It’s Changed
Read about recent interpretations of and challenges to the pivotal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Women in the American Revolution
| Molly Pitcher and Betsy Ross are familiar names in the history of women in America’s Revolutionary Era. Read this detailed article to learn the stories of other women who supported the war effort. |
The Real Story of Revere’s Ride
Learn the real story behind the famous midnight ride of one of America’s most storied Sons of Liberty. Click on the interactive map to learn more about Revere’s route.
9 Things You May Not Know About the Declaration of Independence
Read nine interesting, yet not-so-well-known stories about the people, places, and events surrounding one of America’s most important founding documents.
Making Maps Under Fire During the Revolutionary War
Maps, and sometimes their inaccuracy, played an important role in the French and Indian War and in the Revolutionary War.
What Happened To British Loyalists After The Revolutionary War?
At the time of the American Revolution, not every colonist wanted to sever ties with the British Crown. In this short interview, a historian describes the perils of being a Loyalist during and following the Revolutionary War.
What Alexander Hamilton’s Deep Connections To Slavery Reveal About The Need For Reparations Today
| This opinion from a university scholar reveals that more carefullyexamining Alexander Hamilton’s life, views, and career might challenge how people think about reparations for slavery. |
How Kids Helped During the Revolutionary War
How did the families of everyday colonists respond when the Revolutionary War started? Read a brief list of some of the ways that the children of the Minutemen and Continental Army soldiers answered the call during the Thirteen Colonies’ struggle for independence.
To Make Native Votes Count, Janine Windy Boy Sued the Government
In 1983, Native American activist Janine Windy Boy sued the government to protect the voting rights of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne people in Montana. Read the intriguing story of this effort to fight voter suppression.
Welcome to the Museum of the American Revolution’s Virtual Tour
Check out this extensive virtual tour of the Museum of the American Revolution! Move through different rooms and click on artifacts to learn about an important part of American history.
Five Myths About the U.S. Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service was established by the Constitution to provide links vital to democracy. Find out the facts that dispel some prevalent myths.
Hamilton Cast Reflect on Backlash and Criticism of Musical
With the recent release of the Hamilton movie, renewed backlash and criticisms have warranted a response from the cast.
American Descendents
View one photographer’s powerful photo series where he recreates portraits of famous Americans with their descendants.
Abigail Adams, Founding Mother
In this review of Woody Holton’s book Abigail Adams, we learn more about the First Lady who often reminded her husband to “remember the ladies.” Although the changes of her time had yet to extend to women, Abigail Adams was standing up for her own and other women’s rights.
Dirty Little Secret
Did you know that many American slaves fought for England during the Revolutionary War? They were promised their freedom if they did, and many took the offer. Read this article to learn more about slaves’ participation in the Revolutionary War.
The Founding Fathers Weren’t Concerned with Inequality
Learn why our founding documents say next to nothing about the democratic principle of economic security.
Where would we be without George Washington?
George Washington retired shortly after the American Revolution and re-emerged on the political scene several years later. In this essay, historian Edward Larson emphasizes the significance of these actions and makes a connection to modern global revolutions.
Why are U.S. Supreme Court justices appointed for life?
Should Supreme Court justices be subject to term limits or do their lifetime appointments ensure they are free from outside influences? Read the editorial to learn more about Supreme Court justices.