| The American Revolution and its aftermath brought uncertainty, both politically and sociologically, into the framework of British civilization in the Americas. For the white population, the war itself threatened lives, liberties, properties, and systems of government all held dear. The same was true for the blacks present, who largely labored as slaves, but in their case liberty tended to be the issue which dominated all others. Slavery would survive the American Revolution, and perhaps in the new nation spawned by it even be strengthened. Nevertheless, during the turmoil of the period, tens of thousands of slaves abandoned their masters, and thousands of these would go on to abandon the Thirteen Colonies come United States itself, finding refuge—of sorts—in the remaining parts of the United Kingdom. It is argued, using a mixture of primary and secondary studies, that within the framework of a single lifetime, it is possible to determine which group of American blacks, by their decisions and actions during this period, afforded themselves and their immediate posterity the best chances not only for liberty, but for economic, educational, and psychological prosperity as well. The conclusion is that this would be the group of blacks who immigrated to Sierra Leone, by way of Nova Scotia, in 1792. |
