While the Declaration of Independence declared that "all men are created equal", slaves did not experience equality during the Revolutionary Era, as they were considered property without rights who could be maimed or killed for trying to escape. Free African Americans also did not experience true equality, as they were not allowed to serve in the army and were seen as disloyal by members of Congress until the British offered to free slaves who joined their side. The document discusses how the Declaration's statement of equality conflicts with the reality of slavery and treatment of free African Americans during this time period.