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Explore the divided loyalties during the American Revolution between Patriots and Loyalists. Learn about the motivations, risks, and propaganda that influenced individuals to take a stand. Uncover the diverse factors that shaped allegiances and the consequences faced by those who chose differently.
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Patriot (or Rebels) • Minority Movement: 30-40% • Younger • Felt recent British laws on violated their rights as British citizens (e.g. taxing without consent, quartering soldiers in citizens’ homes, and denying colonists the right to a trial, trade restrictions). • Many live in the New England Colonies, especially Massachusetts • Most numerous in Presbyterian & Congregationalist areas
Loyalists tended to be… • About 20%- 30% • Educated • Aristocratic (wealthy) • Older • Wealthy landowners • People who benefitted from the crown: Anglican clergymen, king’s officers • People with close business or political ties to Britain
High number of Loyalists in New York City, Quaker Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and in the Southern Colonies (Charleston). • Least numerous in New England • Many agreed that the American colonists had suffered at the hands of the British but the Loyalists hoped that a peaceful reconciliation with British government was possible. • Most numerous where the Anglican Church (Church of England) was strongest- taught to obey the king
Various Reasons for Choosing Sides • The Iroquois Confederation: had a working relationship with British officials and was angered by colonists encroaching into their territory, sided with British. • Tenant farmers: often choose their position based on which side their landowner supported. • For example, if a Patriot landowner was cruel and always raised the rent, the tenant would be a Loyalist, but if the Patriot landowner was kind and collected a fair rent, the tenant would be a Patriot.
Various Reasons forChoosing Sides • Non-English speaking colonists: Viewed the conflict between the British government and the Patriots as family quarrel among the English. They wanted to stay out of it and be left alone. • Colonists in debt with British creditors: Often became Patriots because it could get them out of paying back their debt.
Dangers • Feared that violent change would make things worse • During the Revolution taking a Loyalist stance was dangerous, especially in the New England colonies • Many Loyalists were brutally attacked and killed. • Their property was destroyed or confiscated. • About 80,000 fled the American Colonies for their own safety. Some Loyalists moved to England and many more moved to nearby Canada. • 50,000 volunteered to serve in British cause • Served as spies, incited Indians, attacked Patriot homes
Propaganda • Both sides used propaganda during the war to garner support • Propaganda: information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.
Sometimes, the propaganda was in poster form. This engraving from the Boston Massacre was used to garner support for the Patriots.
Propaganda Other times, the propaganda was in the form of written essays that were printed and distributed. Here is an example: Thomas Payne’s Common Sense
Your Task: • You have a sheet of paper that has Advertising Techniques on one side and Propaganda War on the other • First read over the advertising techniques • Then use the other side to plan what kind of propaganda you will create. • You can create a poster, an essay like Thomas Payne’s, or even write out a speech • Your propaganda should include a minimum of 3 facts about Patriots or Loyalists that would convince your audience to join your side.
