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Patriot or Loyalist ?. During the American Revolution, most American colonists had to decide to support the War for Independence or remain loyal to the British and King George III. Patriot (or Rebels). Minority Movement: 30-40% Younger
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Patriotor Loyalist? During the American Revolution, most American colonists had to decide to support the War for Independence or remain loyal to the British and King George III.
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. • 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 Patriotsbecause 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
Taxation • The colonists should help pay Great Britain for the French and Indian war debt. (Loyalist View) • “No Taxation without Representation” is a false argument. (Loyalist View) • The colonists should have total control over who taxes them (colonial assemblies or Parliament). (Patriot View) • The colonists should have total control over how tax money is spent. (Patriot View)
National Security • The colonists can defeat Great Britain because they have home-ground advantage. • (Patriot View) • The colonists cannot win a war with Great Britain because the British have the most powerful army and navy in the world. (Loyalist View) • Should the colonists win a war with Great Britain, they will not have the capacity to defend themselves against France and Spain in North America. (Loyalist View) • The colonists do not have the • money to form and maintain a • national army and navy. • (Loyalist View)
Trade • Being part of the British empire gives the colonists access to goods from all over the world. (Loyalist View) • Should the colonists win a war with Great Britain, it will be difficult to develop international trade relations and thus the economy will suffer. (Loyalist View) • The colonists have a secure market in Great Britain for their goods and raw materials. (Loyalist View)
An increase in control by the British government should not alone justify going to war. (Loyalist View) • An imperfect situation is better than the unknown. (Loyalist View) • If the war is lost, some of the most intelligent, respected leaders in the colonies will be hanged. (Loyalist View)
English Subjects • The colonist’s rights as English subjects are limited by the English bill of rights. (Patriot View) • The Patriots have exaggerated problems with Great Britain. (Loyalist View) • The colonists have repeatedly petitioned the King and Parliament to hear their grievances, but were either ignored or answered with more British control. (Patriot View)
As John Locke stated, government is a contract. The king has failed to uphold his end of the contract as the protector of the colonies. (Patriot View) • Britain has allowed the colonists more rights and privileges than any other nation on earth. The Patriots act like spoiled children expecting more and giving less than those in Great Britain. (Loyalist View) • The King is chosen by God. Treason against the King is treason against God. (Loyalist View) • The colonists basic rights are being eroded. They are no longer guaranteed trials at the place of the crime and troops are being quartered in their homes. (Patriot View) English Subjects
Patriot or Loyalist… The choice is yours.
