What did the docuseries "The American Revolution" reveal about George Washington's views on Black soldiers?

The docuseries revealed that George Washington, the military leader of the Continental Army, opposed allowing Black soldiers to fight alongside white soldiers, fearing it would impact the institution of slavery.

How did the British try to undermine the American rebels during the Revolutionary War?

The British governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, issued a proclamation promising freedom to any enslaved person who escaped and fought for the British. This resulted in around 800 enslaved Black men, as well as an equal number of women and children, joining Dunmore's "Ethiopian Regiment" and receiving paid salaries.

What contradictions did the docuseries highlight about the founding fathers of the United States?

The docuseries underscored the dark irony that the founding fathers, like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, preached independence and the rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," while simultaneously holding enslaved individuals on their plantations.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Docuseries Uncovers Founding Fathers' Contradictions on Slavery During Revolution

Docuseries Uncovers Founding Fathers' Contradictions on Slavery During Revolution

16 Nov

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Summary

Washington opposed arming Black soldiers, fearing impact on slavery
800 enslaved Blacks escaped to fight for the British, receiving paid salaries
Founding fathers preached independence while owning enslaved people

Docuseries Uncovers Founding Fathers' Contradictions on Slavery During Revolution

A forthcoming PBS docuseries, "The American Revolution," set to premiere on November 16, 2025, takes a deep dive into the lives of Black Americans during the Revolutionary War and how the conflict affected them. The series uncovers several surprising revelations, including the fact that George Washington, the revered military leader of the Continental Army, objected to allowing Black soldiers to fight alongside their white counterparts.

According to the documentary, Washington was "shocked" to see Black soldiers encamped with white soldiers and was "unconvinced they could ever make good soldiers." Historians suggest that Washington's concerns stemmed from his fears about the potential impact on the institution of slavery, as 40% of the population in his home colony of Virginia were enslaved Blacks.