Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia

Between 1783 and 1785, more than 3000 Black persons came to Nova Scotia as a direct result of the American Revolution.  With the establishment of tobacco, indigo, and rice plantations in the southern states, plantation owners required more labourers to work in the fields, and carry out other jobs. In order to reduce costs for themselves and their estate, these owners used slave labour. Initially, the owners attempted to enslave local natives, but with little success, decided to opt for mostly African slaves instead.