“All Men Are Created Equal…”

But did all American’s Experience this equality?

Main Idea: While the Declaration of Independence declared that “All men are created equal” not everyone experienced this equality during the Revolutionary Era.

The Case of the SlaveSlaves were the property of their

mastersIf caught running away, slaves

were maimed or killed◦Maimed: had a body part injured or

cut offIf a slaves master and plantation

was captured by the British, he would be resold

Is this “equality”?

The Case of the FreemanNot allowed to serve in the armyNot trusted by members of the

Congress Viewed as “disloyal”Only when Britain offers them

freedom does Congress allow free African Americans to serve in the army

Is this “equality”?

The British Offered slaves their freedom if

they joined the British side

What would you do?

DiscussionDiscuss with your groups how the

quote below conflicts with what we have just learned about the situation of African American’s during the Revolutionary Era.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”