Posted on 09/15/2016 6:30:57 AM PDT by fruser1
During the War of 1812, the British enlisted the aid of black Americans to join them in the fight. These regiments were called the “Colonial Marines”, some of which fought on the side of the British during the attack on Ft. Mc Henry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner.
The song had four verses, the first of which is what is typically heard when the anthem is played. The third refers to “hirelings and slaves”. While this may refer to the Colonial Militia, it could refer to the fact that the British commonly employed mercenaries in their conflicts and, in the 1812 time period, were impressing American sailors into service.
This last was, in fact, one of the main reasons for any popular support of the war at the time. In its conflict with Napoleon’s France, the British often captured American merchant vessels and forced the crews into military service since, as far as they were concerned, they were still British subjects.
The British Empire had colonies around the world, where they allowed slavery until abolished in 1834, with certain exceptions for the East India Colony. In case you didn’t know, America was originally a British colony. As such, all slaves in the Americas were British property, through their colonial subjects. In 1812, those who still viewed America as British, by definition, believed that American slaves were British slaves. For joining in the fight, they would be compensated with liberty in England.
This act marks the Colonial Militia as perhaps the most astounding hypocrites in history. Instead of supporting other slaves, for their own selfish desires, they were taking up the cause of a country that was instituting slavery worldwide.
What a bunch of racist bastards!
The British were notorious (or famous I suppose) for cobbling together armies around a small core of English troops. Think of Wellington’s armies in Spain and Waterloo. In the latter incidence, English troops only comprised about one their of his force; the rest being “King’s German Legion”, Hanoverian, Dutch and Belgic.
“skin and brawn”
Oops, I meant “skill and brawn”, Freudian slip?
Were the CM really “American” slaves, or any slaves from British colonies? After all, there were many of them.
ping for RevWar/colonial/general federal period
(we’d often be pinged for “1812” stuff)
Yes, American.
Man o man, when will these low info people get a clue about the truth of slavery. They only see the American side. Until they realize the truth, I pass on articles like these. Yeah slavery is bad and all, when is it ever good for those who were enslaved. These people are still enslaved and when they truly become free of the those who are truly oppressing them (hint: it isn’t conservative whitey) then and only then can they be free. It’s like MLK spoke and it went in one ear and out the other with these people. MLK is just a symbol to them. They never listened to his words. They might have heard them but there is a huge difference between listening and hearing them.
Oh well, the cotton fields have been replaced by fields of concrete.
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forefathers who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights,
an independent Supreme Court and a nation of free men.”
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