A great number of African Americans, slaves and freedmen, from New York served in loyalist forces during the American Revolution because they were promised freedom and land in exchange for their service. Many of these African Americans had been enslaved by the British and were promised their freedom if they joined the loyalist forces. Additionally, the British offered them land in Canada or the Caribbean if they served in the loyalist forces. This was a great incentive for African Americans, who were desperate for freedom and a chance to start a new life.
