What prompted many slaves to seek freedom during the Revolutionary War in Georgia?

The choice highlighting British promises of emancipation accurately reflects a significant factor that motivated many slaves to seek freedom during the Revolutionary War in Georgia. At the time, the British offered an opportunity for slaves to gain their freedom in exchange for fighting on their side. This promise was part of a strategic effort to undermine the American colonial economy and weaken the Revolutionary efforts by encouraging enslaved individuals to abandon their masters.

The recruitment pamphlets and proclamations made by British officials specifically targeted enslaved people, creating hope and a potential pathway to freedom. This offer was quite compelling, as it represented a chance to escape the brutality and oppressiveness of slavery, serving as a catalyst for many individuals to take the risk of fleeing from their bonds in pursuit of liberty.

In contrast, while the disruption of the plantation economy and post-war economic conditions did have effects on slavery and the institution itself, they were not direct motivators for slaves during the war period. Similarly, fighting alongside American forces did occur, but it was not as widespread or organized as the British initiatives offering emancipation; thus, it did not serve as a primary driver for seeking freedom.