Slaves also contributed to the Loyalist cause, swayed by the promise of freedom following the war. Patriots were fighting for the right to self-rule the colonies and to obtain freedom from British oppression. Reasons not to join the Patriots Some pictures of Loyalists Conclusion These are some of the reasons to stay loyal to the King and not be a Patriot and move to the USA Here are some reasons not to join the Patriots, they are a new Country with no King or no rules to keep them Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 2016. This video serves as a video introduction to our lesson plan for the Loyalist v. Patriot activity. The strongest case for their position, as Frasier points out, came from clergymen. Historians estimate that between 15 and 20 percent of European-American colonists supported the Crown; some historians estimate that as much as one third of the population was sympathetic to the British, if not vocally. Colonists and the colonies profit from friendly trading with the British. 11b. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. The Patriots are the people that are rebelling against their home government. 3L\Pm.-'z`@n%M_K{T3RV'6AUMD' i But the from long-staples cotton in two ways: Its seeds What would you rather be a Loyalist or a Patriot? Many loyalists at first urged moderation in the struggle for colonial rights and were only driven into active loyalism by radical fellow colonists who denounced as Tories all who would not join them. Latest answer posted July 26, 2019 at 12:24:15 AM. Loyalists remained loyal to England and its leadership. The action was then adopted by the Continental Congress when it took over Patriot forces to form the Continental Army. Being a Loyalist means that you are choosing to support your home country instead of committing treason. 2. They did experiments together. They had family in England and they didn't want to put them in danger. In places where the war stayed a distant concern, people found it easier to be neutral, or barring that, lukewarm in their support of either side. British taxes continued to hurt the U.S. economy as the new nation struggled to pay war debts and taxes. Most people believed that eventually the colonies would receive some sort of support in Parliament and they would be able to reduce the ridiculous taxes imposed upon them. Additionally, Britain has a robust economy to support a war. Patriot Loyalist Neutral Reason for decision: Colonist F Colonist F is a merchant in New York City. Well-educated doctors, lawyers, and newspaper publishers all could be found on both sides. But what topics of reconciliation are now left for men who think as I do, to address our countrymen? George Washington lifted the ban on black enlistment in the Continental Army in January 1776, in response to a need to fill manpower shortages in Americas fledgling army and navy. The largest group of neutral colonists was the Quakers, who are pacifists as a rule. The heavy taxation imposed on the colonists after the war left many angry; this dispute is viewed as the starting point of conflict between the British and the colonists. Many African Americans viewed the American Revolution as an opportunity to fight for their own liberty and freedom from slavery. Free blacks, on the other hand, lived lives similar to those of poor white colonists, and they often chose the Patriot side for similar reasons. They made up about 15-20% of the white male population. Get the answers you need, now! This prompted the British to offer freedom to any slaves who fought for the king, encouraging slaves throughout the colonies to run away and join the Loyalists. These Patriots rejected the lack of representation of colonists in the British Parliament and the imposition of British taxes. God Against the Revolution: The Loyalist Clergy's Case Against the American Revolution traces them while taking into account divergent viewpoints on both . While we revere and love our mother country, her sword is opening our veins. The Progressive Movement everything about the progressive historians, DBQ on Industrial Leaders: "Robber barons" vs. "Industrial Statesmen". They had the advantage of fighting on their own grounds and also had a vast militia to cover their whole territory. Others traveled to Great Britain. It is impossible to know the exact number of American colonists who favored or opposed independence. Patriots were also known as American Whigs, Revolutionaries, Congress-Men, and Rebels. Independence was the solution to the financial woes of the merchants in the colonies. Advantages of being a loyalist during the war. Recent non-Anglophone immigrants (especially Germans and Dutch), uncertain of their fate under the new regime, also fled. I say that loyalists are better. Quakers formed the largest group of neutrals during the American Revolution due to their belief in pacifism, or non-violence. engraving showing the American treatment of loyalists, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/loyalist, George Washington Mount Vernon - George Washington Digital Encyclopedia - Loyalist, The Canadian Encyclopedia - Loyalists in Canada. That's a powerful reason to stay loyal. The American Revolution was many thingsa tax revolt, an international debate over good government and consent, and a revolution in pursuit of sovereignty. The Patriots ended up winning the war against the British in 1781. On the other hand there were the Loyalists, who believed they could win the war for England, unfortunately for them that this did not happen. Patriots were those who believed in independence for the American colonists and/or freedom from oppression. Loyalists vs. Patriots of the American Revolution: Lesson for Kids, The Declaration of Independence | Text, Signers & Legacy, Cornwallis' Surrender at Yorktown Lesson for Kids: Summary & Facts, Loyalists in the Southern Colonies at the End of the Revolutionary War. Some colonists, such as those way out on the frontier, weren't affected by all the politics and just didn't care. cityboyry11 cityboyry11 11/12/2021 English Middle School . This was a line set by the British after the French and Indian War, marking where colonists could not settle. Loyalist was a term used to . The former NFL wide receiver has made a habit of trashing his former quarterback Tom Brady in the years since the duo won a Super Bowl together in 2020 with the Tampa . Perhaps another 30 percent to 40 percent of the population were Patriots who visibly supported the Revolution in some way. Brewminate: A Bold Blend of News and Ideas, Curated/Reviewed by Matthew A. McIntoshPublic HistorianBrewminate. 6. Wealthy merchants and planters often had business interests with the empire, as did large farmers who profited by supplying the British army. From Revolution to Reunion: The Reintegration of the South Carolina Loyalists. Patriots. But if you had lived back then, you might have made a different decision. There were definitely reasons to be a Loyalist during this time. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The loyalist fighters aroused a vengeful hatred among the patriots (as the American Revolutionaries called themselves), and when taken in battle they were treated as traitors. Prominent merchants in port cities and men with business or family ties to the elite class in Great Britain tended to remain loyal to the Crown, whereas Patriots were comprised largely of yeoman farmers. 2023. Delusional. They saw the tarring and feathering of English officials, the burning of property, and the firing on English soldiers to be barbarous acts that they could not support. ;w@TLq[)l_ui5Z9afV^*_ DuQqYH-L4~i(TeqgV|C@^cjm$!|w-(g.gYUF!qb$'A6Ot`lbPINp Loyalists and neutrals often faced harassment or violence as a result of their position, and many Loyalists chose to relocate to British strongholds, such as New York. 1776: The Loyalists' Perspective. Another popular name for Patriot was Whig. Ultimately, Americans remained Loyalists or joined the Patriot cause based on which side they thought would best promote their interests. Free African-Americans frequently supported the Patriot cause. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The Church of England was associated with Loyalists, so Patriots distrusted it to such an extent that the reputation of Anglicans was marred after the conclusion of the war. WriteWork contributors, "What would you rather be a Loyalist or a Patriot? If they could afford it, many Loyalists relocated to Canada or England in the early days of the war. Antonio Brown is back at it. For years it was widely believed that . Military expeditions on each side destroyed villages and food supplies to reduce the ability of people to fight, as in the frequent raids by both sides in the Mohawk Valley and western New York. Prominent merchants in port cities and men with business or family ties to elites in Great Britain tended to favor the Loyalist cause. The governor of Virginia had promised freedom to any slave who fought for the British. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Option: Students can share their reasons out loud or share with a partner. For all the debate over political ideals in the lead-up to the War for Independence, much of what motivated most people may have been more practical. Indeed, loyalists would have been aware of the failed 1745 Jacobite rebellion in Scotland and the disastrous results for those that revolted against English rule. Loyalists constituted about one-third of the population of the American colonies during that conflict. Patriots usually had strong economic ties to Great Britain and were hesitant to risk their livelihoods by joining the cause. While every loyalist had his or her reasons, let's look at some of the more common motivations. (It might also unnerve otherwise-loyal colonists in the Caribbean colonies, who did not join the independence movement but depended on slavery to generate wealth.). For many years leading up to the Revolution, there was great optimism that Parliament would change for the better. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. The American colonies had done very well economically as part of the British Empire. Interesting Facts About Patriots and Loyalists. Also, from 1779 to 1782, a Loyalist civilian government was re established in coastal Georgia. Estimates of the number of Loyalists range as high as . Or have we the slightest reason to hope that those ministers and representatives will not be supported throughout the tragedy, as they have been through the first act? They were not confined to any particular group or class, but their numbers were strongest among the following groups: officeholders and others who served the British crown and had a vested interest in . In fact, Lord Dunmores Proclamation was the first mass emancipation of enslaved people in United States history. The Patriot and Continental Army leader George Washington banned free Blacks from enlisting in his army, so the British used his decision to their advantage. As many as one-third of the colonists at the time of the American Revolution remained loyal to Great Britain. They chose to support the authority of the king rather than the power of the Parliament. The remaining state laws against them were repealed after the War of 1812. Benjamin Franklin disowned his son William because he remained a Loyalist throughout the war and was exiled to England. Separating from Britain risks that profitable business. A total of 12,000 African Americans served with the British from 1775 to 1783. $= Why Did That Strategy Ultimately Fail? "Identity is an enormously personal and political part of language," he said. He had secured a royal post for his son William Franklin as governor of New Jersey, and William chose to be a Loyalist. The most common trait among all loyalists was an innate conservatism coupled with a deep devotion to the mother country and the crown. The truth was more complex. endstream endobj 272 0 obj <>/Metadata 34 0 R/Outlines 53 0 R/Pages 269 0 R/StructTreeRoot 60 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 273 0 obj <>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 274 0 obj <>stream hb```wB ?0zPv@! In 1775, the last royal governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, issued a proclamation offering male slaves their freedom in return for taking up arms to defend the kings cause. What best describes the Loyalists before and during the American Revolution? Those seeking certain positions in government and/or the courts who were not directly affiliated with the British may also have chosen the Patriot side, as the British often only appointed their own allies to positions of power. 10. Teacher will conduct a vote on which colonist's side they would most likely join. John Adams famously said Americans divided into three equal groups: the staunch Patriots, the Loyalists, and those remaining neutral. Libertys Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World. What then must our situation be, or what the state of our trade, when oppressed with such a burden of annual expense! Tens of thousands of slaves escaped during the war and joined British lines; others simply escaped on their own to freedom without fighting. @'PbGL ,2@`^O\UNK: P5)5 ,@Z"o1dgaeXoK8n0d`pq9lD+we10ogPY=3AL -q^Va`~tJ y6?] Although most members of the Iroquois tribes went to Canada with the Loyalists, others tried to stay in New York and western territories to maintain their lands. Since Patriots subjected Loyalists, and even many neutrals, to the same public humiliation and violence with which they had handled British tax agents, many Loyalists who had the means moved to Canada or England early on. Altogether, the British were estimated to have evacuated nearly 20,000 freedmen (including families) with other Loyalists and their troops at the end of the war. The Bill of Rights Institute teaches civics. In September 1776, loyalists flocked to New York after the British defeated George Washington and took control of Manhattan. One man's story might help you understand. This association of Anglicanism with Loyalism tarred the church for many years after the Revolution. For example, during early 1775 in the South Carolina backcountry, Loyalist recruitment outpaced that of the Patriots. Religious converts of the Great Awakening made strong connections between their faith and a developing sense of nationalism. In the port city of Boston, Patriots were motivated by political ideology, but also by economic concerns. Colonists had a lot of conflicting loyalties and legitimate fears. New England had fewer loyalists than any other section. Most in the colonies remained devoted to their Anglican religion, and the church itself experienced little change. By July 4, 1776, Patriots controlled most of the territory within the 13 colonies and had expelled all royal officials. Calhoon, Robert M.The Loyalists in Revolutionary America, 17601781. After the French and Indian War (1754-1763) in North America, British leaders decided that American colonists should be responsible for paying down the war debts. An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States eighteenth century, I saw the rise of the American people from impoverished submissive individuals to political independence "Good news: you can turn to other's writing help. That varied according to each state's militia. Alexandra has taught students at every age level from pre-school through adult. Anyone who believes oaths to the Constitution can be broken at will, for any reason, is not a loyal patriot, PERIOD. legislative body that "reflected the authority of England"1 and the State. Bibliography Beard, Charles A. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. In Sunday's quick hits, ESPN's Mike Reiss noted that some . A separate American identity did not develop until some time later. Patriot opponents found the Loyalists's motives easy to explain: they were "self-interested men," greedy parasites who profited from the imperial connection, or weak and cowardly individuals who feared anarchy more than they appreciated liberty. The Loyalists were afraid of the soldiers. Already a member? "H0[DzH] K@l``sAX,L`m`&m2M101208O 1 Why?" Many African Americans who left with Loyalists for Jamaica or St. Augustine after the war never gained their freedom. WriteWork.com, 02 March, 2008. Teacher will reveal to the class the identity of Colonist A (Loyalist) and . African Americansslave and freeserved on both sides during the Revolutionary War. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Will the distinctions between the prince and the ministers, between the people and their representatives, wipe out the stain of blood? April 17, 2023 9:55 am ET. But where troops arrived on the doorstep, pressure grew rapidly to take a side and vigorously support it. There was not unanimous support among members of the 13 colonies for the Patriot Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775March 17, 1776). After all, his dad had taught him to be a good citizen, love the king, and respect authority. But their willingness to do business with Britain led to resentment and mistreatment by the Patriots. While some found it easy, others struggled to choose. _JPQzd9,3F]#,8f^QuMC&JXhn8>9[x->,,rK 2xTf~.haoGj,JbwrJWMj_YWYenu*}|}T-yx,cj%3o@AR+k:}5\-^!V6ey"/_h:)BH? Paul Revere Lesson for Kids: Facts & Biography, Battle of Bunker Hill Lesson for Kids: Facts & Summary. Also wouldn't hurt to add, a Super Bowl champion who has shine in the game's . The British actually hesitated to support Dunmores Proclamation because they were aware it alienated planters who might otherwise support the kings cause. Loyalists were those who remained loyal to the British crown and/or British rule. Loyalists were typically upper class, Patriots typically middle class, and neutrals usually lower class. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, with specialization in Secondary Social Studies Education, as well as a Bachelor's in Psychology. Five hundred such former slaves from Virginia formed Lord Dunmores Ethiopian Regiment, which is most likely the first black regiment to ever serve for the British crown. As the war continued, many southern enslaved people escaped from their plantations and joined Loyalist troops. The Patriots lacked a clear plan for the type of nation they wanted to create after they declared independence. Colonists along the Atlantic seaboard agreed that taxes were a necessary part of the economy. 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