Who formed the all-black Ethiopian regiment in 1775 during the Revolutionary War?

The formation of the all-black Ethiopian regiment in 1775 during the Revolutionary War is correctly attributed to Lord Dunmore. As the royal governor of Virginia, Dunmore issued a proclamation that promised freedom to enslaved individuals who joined the British forces. This move was strategic, as it aimed to undermine the American revolutionaries by recruiting enslaved individuals to fight against them, which resulted in the establishment of the Ethiopian regiment.

Lord Dunmore's proclamation was significant not only for its military implications but also for its social impact, as it marked one of the earliest instances in American history where freedom was offered to enslaved people in exchange for military service. This action also illustrated the complexities of the Revolutionary War, where issues of slavery and freedom were deeply intertwined with the conflict. The regiment itself became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and rights, influencing future movements.

The other individuals listed, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, were key figures in the Revolutionary War and American history but did not establish the Ethiopian regiment. Washington, for instance, held views that were more aligned with maintaining the institution of slavery in his own life, while Jefferson and Madison were both deeply involved in the early governance of the United States rather than in military recruitment during