1. The Dunmore Proclamation (1775): This is arguably his most significant act. Facing growing tensions between Virginia and Britain, Dunmore declared martial law and promised freedom to any enslaved person who joined the British forces. This was a controversial move as it:
* Emboldened enslaved people to join the British cause: Thousands of enslaved people fled to British lines, hoping for freedom. This severely undermined the British cause in Virginia and led to distrust between the British and enslaved populations.
* Further angered the colonists: The proclamation was seen as an attempt by the British to exploit the situation for their own gain and turn enslaved people against their own masters. It solidified colonial support for independence.
2. The Burning of Norfolk (1776): Lord Dunmore, seeking to suppress the rebellion in Virginia, ordered the burning of Norfolk, Virginia. This event, which destroyed a major port city, is considered a significant act of destruction by the British during the American Revolutionary War.
3. The "Lord Dunmore's War" (1774): While not directly related to the American Revolution, Lord Dunmore's war was a conflict between Virginia colonists and Native American tribes. Dunmore, as the governor, led the colonists against the Shawnee and other tribes in an attempt to expand Virginia's territory. This conflict, although not directly related to the Revolution, contributed to the tension between the colonists and the British Crown.
Lord Dunmore's legacy is complex. He was a loyal British official but his actions during the American Revolution, particularly the Dunmore Proclamation, had a significant impact on the course of the war and ultimately played a role in the formation of the United States.