African Americans in the War of 1812

In 1813 a law was changed to allow African Americans to serve in the military.

African Americans helped America to fight the War of 1812. They held many different jobs during the war. Some recruited soldiers. Others built things to protect cities. Many served in the Navy. African Americans made up about fifteen to twenty percent of the Navy. African Americans fought and died next to white soldiers.

There was one militia in the United States that was made up of all African American men. It was in Louisiana. Many blacks in that state were slaves. But there were more than four thousand free blacks there, too. Any free man who owned property or paid taxes was asked to serve in the military.