The Black Soldier in the Early Republic
             From the beginning Black Americans have had to deal with the dual expectations that
             were expected of them by the United States. Often there was resistance to allowing blacks to
             join the military and when they were allowed they usually drew the most distasteful and
             dangerous assignments. In addition they were given a less pay and were still treated as second
             class citizens at best. However, despite their troubles African Americans have made great
             contributions to our armed forces starting with the Revolutionary War. The Afro-American has
             fought for his country to preserve the Union, and he has also fought against his country to gain
             the right to fight and for freedom.
             The United States its first war for independence despite overwhelming odds. Yet it may
             not of been won without the black soldiers in the armies. "The first American to shed blood in
             the revolution that freed America from British rule was Crispus Attucks" (Wilkes 24). He along
             with four white men were killed in the Boston Massacre of March 5, 1770. Attucks, a fugitive
             slave, was protesting against the perceived English occupation of Boston along with other whites
             not realizing he would give his life and become a symbol for generations of African Americans
             At the battles of Concord and Lexington in 1775, black soldiers fought alongside white
             soldiers. Yet even though the Afro-American soldiers clearly distinguished themselves as
             soldiers they still met resistence from the white colonist. When Washington assumed command
             on July 3, 1775 he issued an order prohibiting the enlistment of any Negro (Moore 5).
             It was a British officer, Lord Dunmore who inadvertently advanced the cause for the
             acceptance of black troops. He declared all Negroes free that would join his Majesty's troops.
             The Americans realized they couldn't afford to deny Black Americans the right to join the army.
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