Aftermath of the American War of Independence

This section explores migration following the American War of Independence. In the late 18th century, significant migration occurred as a result of the American War of Independence (1775–1783) and the subsequent events that unfolded. The war had far-reaching consequences for both Britain and its former American colonies, and the people caught up in the conflict faced displacement and the need to seek new lives, both in Britain and in other parts of the Empire.

The American War of Independence: Causes and Effects

The American War of Independence, also known as the War of the American Revolution, was a pivotal event in history. The conflict arose from growing tensions between the American colonists and the British Government, particularly over issues of taxation, governance, and representation. The colonies, which had been established over a century earlier, had grown increasingly dissatisfied with British rule. By the mid-18th century, many of the colonists were determined to gain independence from Britain, a decision that led to the Revolutionary War.

The war ended in 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which recognised the sovereignty of the newly formed United States of America. However, the war had long-lasting consequences for a variety of groups, particularly those who had remained loyal to Britain during the conflict, as well as those who had fought on Britain’s side.

The Loyalists: A Divided Population

While many American colonists fought for independence, there was a significant proportion who remained loyal to the British Crown, known as Loyalists. These individuals had various reasons for their allegiance, ranging from loyalty to the monarchy to fear of what independence might mean for their social and economic standing. After the American victory, Loyalists faced increasing hostility and, in some cases, violent reprisals from their fellow colonists. Many were forced to flee their homes to escape retribution.

One of the most significant groups of Loyalists who faced difficulties after the war were the Black Loyalists. These were African American slaves who had been freed by the British army during the conflict, often in exchange for their military service. In return for fighting for the British, they were promised freedom and protection. However, after the war, the new American government threatened to re-enslave these men and women, and many faced a precarious future in a newly independent United States that had no place for them in its social structure.

Migration of the Black Loyalists

After the American War of Independence, many of the Black Loyalists were forced to leave the United States to avoid being re-enslaved. The British government, in recognition of their loyalty during the war, sought to provide them with new opportunities for settlement. The Black Loyalists were initially relocated to various British territories, including Canada, the Caribbean, and Britain itself.

• Canada: Thousands of Black Loyalists were sent to Nova Scotia, Canada, where they were promised land and the opportunity to build new lives. However, the settlement conditions were harsh, and many-faced discrimination from white settlers. Nevertheless, this migration marked the beginning of a significant Black community in Canada.
• The Caribbean: Some were sent to various Caribbean colonies, where they were expected to help develop the sugar plantations. These territories had a long history of African slavery, and the Black Loyalists often found themselves in a similar position to that which they had fled in the United States.
• Britain: A smaller number of Black Loyalists came to Britain, particularly to London, where there was concern about their welfare. Britain had no formal system to accommodate these displaced individuals, and there were fears about the strain this would place on resources, as Britain had its own post-war economic difficulties to address. Many Black Loyalists faced poverty and social isolation, and their situation was a cause for concern within British society.

The Committee for the Relief of the Black Poor

In response to the growing number of Black Loyalists in London, an organisation called the Committee for the Relief of the Black Poor was established in 1786. This committee was set up to aid the Black Loyalists who had come to Britain following the war, as well as other Black people in need. The committee included prominent figures such as William Pitt, the future Prime Minister of Britain, and John Julius Angerstein, a businessman who was involved in various charitable endeavours.

The committee’s main aim was to provide support for the Black Loyalists, many of whom were struggling to survive in a society that was often hostile to them. They faced not only economic hardship but also racial discrimination, and the committee worked to provide them with basic needs such as food, shelter, and employment opportunities.

Establishment of Sierra Leone

The committee’s efforts to assist the Black Loyalists led to the establishment of a new settlement in West Africa—a venture that would give the displaced Black Loyalists a new chance at a life free from the threat of slavery. In 1787, Britain established a new British colony for former slaves and Black Loyalists in what is now Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone was intended to serve as a refuge and a new nation for the Black Loyalists and their families. The settlement was promoted as a place where freed slaves and those seeking a fresh start could live without the fear of being re-enslaved, and where they could also establish a community based on their own cultural practices.

In 1787, around 300 Black Loyalists left Britain for Sierra Leone, and the first group of settlers arrived at Freetown. Although conditions in Sierra Leone were difficult, the colony offered an opportunity for many Black Loyalists to rebuild their lives in a society where they were not subject to the racial prejudices that they had faced in both Britain and America.

The settlement in Sierra Leone was a part of a wider colonial experiment aimed at resettling freed slaves and creating a society where people of African descent could live free from slavery. The British government continued to support the colony, although it faced numerous challenges, including disease, food shortages, and tensions with local African tribes. Despite these hardships, Sierra Leone would eventually grow into a thriving colony and later become an independent nation.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Migration

The migration that followed the American War of Independence highlights the complicated and often difficult lives of the Black Loyalists who were caught up in the aftermath of the conflict. As a result of their loyalty to Britain, they were displaced from their homes and forced to seek new lives in other parts of the British Empire.

The Black Loyalists' migration to Canada, the Caribbean, Britain, and Sierra Leone had a lasting impact on the societies in which they settled. In particular, the establishment of Sierra Leone provided a refuge for freed slaves and the descendants of enslaved people, laying the foundations for the development of modern-day Sierra Leone.

While the migration of Black Loyalists was a response to the outcomes of the war, it also represented broader issues of displacement, race, and the legacy of slavery. The story of their migration serves as an important chapter in the history of the British Empire and its complex relationship with its colonies and their inhabitants.