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1775 Dunmore's Proclamation

Definition

The 1775 Dunmore's Proclamation was a British document that promised freedom to enslaved individuals who joined the British forces and fought against the American colonists during the Revolutionary War.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a video game, and one of the characters offers you a special power-up if you join their team and defeat the other players. That's what the British were doing with Dunmore's Proclamation - they were offering enslaved people freedom if they fought against the American colonists.

Related terms

British Empire: The British Empire refers to the colonies, territories, and dominions controlled by Great Britain during its height of power.

Revolutionary War: The Revolutionary War was a conflict fought between Great Britain and thirteen American colonies, which ultimately led to America gaining independence.

American Colonists: American colonists were individuals who settled in North America under British rule and eventually rebelled against British authority during the Revolutionary War.