Why did many slaves and freedmen ally themselves with the British cause during American revolution?

Many slaves and freedmen allied themselves with the British cause during the American Revolution because the British promised freedom and land to those who fought for them. The British issued the Dunmore Proclamation in 1775, which specifically encouraged enslaved people to join their ranks in exchange for emancipation. This offer presented a formidable incentive for many who sought to escape the brutal conditions of slavery and gain autonomy. Additionally, some viewed the British as a lesser evil compared to the American colonists, who were fighting for independence while maintaining the institution of slavery.