What contributions did African Americans make during the American Revolution? Objective *What were duties and responsibilities of African-American soldiers in the American Revolution? *How did African Americans make significant contributions during the American Revolution? Background In “The Negro in the American Revolution,” Benjamin Quarles said the African-American was “a participant and a symbol. He was active on the battlefronts and behind the lines . . . The Negro’s role in the Revolution can best be understood by realizing that his major loyalty was not to a place nor to a people, but t Duration: 90 Minutes.