By July 4, 1776, Patriots controlled most of the territory within the 13 colonies and had expelled all royal officials. Patriots were those who believed in independence for the American colonists and/or freedom from oppression. Retrieved 14:03, April 18, 2023, from https://www.writework.com/essay/would-you-rather-loyalist-patriot-why. There were people from every social and economic class on both sides and in the middle, but there were demographic trends. The British were also unused to the American land, knowing this, the Patriots used it to their advantage. The colonists increasingly had to take sides in this civil war. Crispus Attucks worked as a sailor and on the docks, and he joined fellow dockworkers on March 5, 1770, to protest now-hated British policies. George Washington's Leadership at Trenton, Saratoga & Valley Forge, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Loyalists and Patriots During the American Revolution. The primary concerns for many were the Enlightenment ideals of freedom and liberty. Patrick Henry's famous Patriot speech at the Virginia Convention in 1775 summed up their beliefs when he said, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Loyalists, often called Tories, were loyal to the crown for several reasons. 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. 12. The British army evacuated thousands of freed slaves after their surrender, relocating them to Canada and England and even Africa. During the American Revolution, the newly proclaimed United States competed with the British for the allegiance of American Indian nations east of the Mississippi River. 11b. Corrections? 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. Patriotism in the American Revolution | What is a Patriot? http://americainclass.org/sources/makingrevolution/war/text2/oliveraddresssoldiers.pdf, http://americainclass.org/sources/makingrevolution/war/text2/painecrisis1776.pdf, Peter Oliver. 6. Historians have not found any connection between educational level, occupation, position in society, or economic status and the choice to be a Patriot or a Loyalist. vbV It was a great risk to stake out a position, and the truth is most humans usually try to take the safe course. Loyalists remained loyal to England and its leadership. $= A separate American identity did not develop until some time later. They are best known for initiating the Boston Tea Party in 1773. 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. Unnatural Rebellion: Loyalists in New York City During the Revolution(Jeffersonian America). You can be a part of this exciting work by making a donation to The Bill of Rights Institute today! Many loyalists had family and business ties to England. When they withdrew their forces from Savannah and Charleston, the British also evacuated 10,000 slaves, now freedmen. It is also possible that some loyalists saw independence as an inevitability that could be achieved through peaceful means instead of open rebellion. events leading to the American Revolutionary War, Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill: The American Revolution Begins, The Second Continental Congress and Thomas Paine's Common Sense, The Declaration of Independence: Text, Signers and Legacy, Primary Source: The Declaration of Independence, British Loyalists vs. American Patriots During the American Revolution, John Paul Jones and the Naval Battles of the Revolutionary War, The Battle of Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris, American Revolution: Social and Economic Impact, The Second Great Awakening: Charles Finney and Religious Revival, CLEP Western Civilization I - Ancient Near East to 1648 Prep, AP European History: Homework Help Resource, ILTS Social Science - History (246): Test Practice and Study Guide, Analyzing & Examining the Causes of War in Western Civilization: Essay Prompts, Comparing and Contrasting Political Ideologies & Movements: Essay Prompts, Royal Tombs Of Ur: Definition & Treasures, The Quest for The Golden Fleece: Story & Overview, German Luftwaffe in WW2: Definition & Ranks, The Munich Conference of 1938: Definition & Overview, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, Understand which demographics tended to be Patriots, Loyalists or neutrals, and the reasons why, Explain what happened to the Loyalists after the war. Anonymous User,High School, 10th grade,C, Loyalists believed in the sanctity of their shared cultural heritage with the British, had a strong sense of duty and loyalty toward the British crown, benefitted from the Trans-Atlantic trade with England, and were worried that an independent . As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 The Progressive Movement everything about the progressive historians, DBQ on Industrial Leaders: "Robber barons" vs. "Industrial Statesmen". Quakers formed the largest group of neutrals during the American Revolution due to their belief in pacifism, or non-violence. Other native communities were divided over which side to support in the war and others wanted to remain neutral. HTMo0Wh,[l'EQI:`CoA^Hv],Q$gArUty\{_/%q}y2whf:,. Proceeds are donated to charity. Loyalists, Fence-sitters, and Patriots. Duration: 2 minutes, 27 seconds Free Blacks overwhelmingly supported the Loyalists because that gave them opportunities elsewhere in the British empire. 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. In addition, many Native American groups, as well as Black Americans, were known to be Loyalists. Jordy McElroy. In the Boston Massacre that night, he became the first African American to die for the American Revolution. Hundreds of slaves escaped to join Dunmore and the British Army. 3L\Pm.-'z`@n%M_K{T3RV'6AUMD' i From the beginning, Loyalists opposed the war because they did not want America to get its independence and depend on Britain for various needs. This was a line set by the British after the French and Indian War, marking where colonists could not settle. 10. Small all-black units were formed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and many slaves were promised freedom for serving. They made up about 15-20% of the white male population. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. Also, from 1779 to 1782, a Loyalist civilian government was re established in coastal Georgia. Enslaved Africans and African Americans usually chose to support the British cause. The Fence Sitters were largely undecided . William had always done everything with his dad. Farmers in the backcountry South who had tried to stay out of politics found one side or the other plundering their food and horsesand promptly chose the other side. Being a Loyalist means that you are "rooting" for the team that is likely to win. Though not all colonists supported violent rebellion, historians estimate that approximately 45 percent of the white population supported the Patriots cause or identified as Patriots; 1520 percent favored the British Crown; and the remainder of the population chose not to take a vocal position in the conflict. Answer: Economic factors did influence the decision to become a patriot of loyalist. I say that loyalists are better. 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. The latter was used by John D. Rockefeller, the king of oil the original crop during the colonial period. They chose to support the authority of the king rather than the power of the Parliament. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, https://books.google.com/books/about/Peter_Oliver_s_Origin_Progress_of_the_Am.html?id=08IL5DO_q94C, Explain how British colonial policies regarding North America led to the Revolutionary War, Explain how various factors contributed to the American victory in the Revolution. from Dordt University. Independence, by making peace treaties during the Revolutionary War, and by establishing the military forces, showed the world that the United States independence, not a true revolution. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. In addition, enslaved Black Americans were offered their freedom if they fought for the British (and if they could manage to escape to join up with their ranks). When every article of commerce, every necessary of life, together with our lands, must be heavily taxed, to defray that expense!, Charles Inglis, Anglican Church Minister in New York City,The Costs of Revolution, 1776. The American Revolution (1765-1791 time period, with official war dates between 1775 and 1783) made colonists choose sides between groups called Loyalists or Patriots. Prior to 1775, many of these Patriots were active in the Sons of Liberty, an organization formed to protect the rights of the colonists from usurpation by the British government. Brewminate: A Bold Blend of News and Ideas, Curated/Reviewed by Matthew A. McIntoshPublic HistorianBrewminate. They had the advantage of fighting on their own grounds and also had a vast militia to cover their whole territory. eNotes Editorial, 18 Nov. 2019, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-reason-loyalist-1122172. To recommend reverence for the monarch, or affection for the mother country? POST 2453 While we cannot telegraph everything, for reasons all can understand, we do try in our own way to inform loyal Anons & Patriots. Slaves also contributed to the Loyalist cause, swayed by the promise of freedom following the war. Despite William's attempts, the two never reconciled. There was another large segment of the population that had definite opinions, but no political voice, notably women, African-Americans, and Native Americans. Ultimately, Americans remained Loyalists or joined the Patriot cause based on which side they thought would best promote their interests. Of course, many people never took a position. Important events leading to the American Revolution include: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Other names for patriots included Sons of Liberty, Rebels, Whigs, and Colonials. African Americansslave and freeserved on both sides during the Revolutionary War. 2. The United States of America is an . When the Continental Congress overthrew the royal governments, William was sent to solitary confinement for two years, losing his hair, his teeth, his wife, and in a sense, his dad. Many former slaves who were promised freedom in exchange for their service in the Continental Army, however, were eventually returned to slavery. For example, if a person were to not have a job due to . In limited areas where the British had a strong military presence, Loyalists remained in power. The Kings Friends: The Composition and Motives of the American Loyalist Claimants. Many African Americans viewed the American Revolution as an opportunity to fight for their own liberty and freedom from slavery. They fought in the Revolution's earliest battles, but in 1775, Washington banned the enlistment or reenlistment of free blacks. Why did the Thirteen Colonies declare independence? hmO8_H+$.Gy.=/AAmfircv5A-Q.1&Q"%3FbpDiD3WI5pUQ All rights reserved. Get the answers you need, now! John Adams famously said Americans divided into three equal groups: the staunch Patriots, the Loyalists, and those remaining neutral. About 12,000 black loyalists aided the British in the hopes of achieving freedom. Reasons to be a Loyalist SCROLL DOWN FOR MORe Hello fellow colonists my name is iris higglebottom I'm sure you are all wondering what is happening. 1 votes. The extensive trade networks protected by the British Empire were indeed good for global commerce. Many of those arguments inverted or mirrored those of Patriots by appealing to rights and the rule of law. The whole of our exports from the Thirteen United Colonies in the year 1769, amounted only to 2,887,898 sterling; which is not so much, by near half a million, as our annual expense would be, were we Independent of Great-Britain. The expedition failed to have the desired effect, as American Indian activity became even more determined. The American Revolution was many thingsa tax revolt, an international debate over good government and consent, and a revolution in pursuit of sovereignty. No clear deciding factor predicted who would become a Patriot, a Loyalist, or neither, and generations of historians have tried to find a common pattern without success. Maryland freed slaves who volunteered to fight, whereas in New England, a slave could only earn freedom if his owner sent the slave to serve in his place. endstream endobj 275 0 obj <>stream 1. Colonist F has secretly grown concerned over the recent talk of independence from Britain. You get to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of that victory. Religious beliefs certainly influenced many. 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. At the war's end, many remaining loyalists left the country by choice, including Native Americans. The same delusions will still prevail, till France and Spain, if not other powers, long jealous of Britains force and fame, will fall upon her, embarrassed with an exhausting civil war, and crush, or at least depress her, then turn their arms on these provinces, which must submit to wear their chains or wade through seas of blood to a dear bought and at best a frequently convulsed and precarious independence., Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee in response to Lexington and Concord, April 29, 1775, Where the money is to come from which will defray this enormous annual expense ofthree millionssterling, and all those other debts, I know not; unless the author ofCommon Sense, or some other ingenious projector, can discover thePhilosophers Stone, by which iron and other base metals may be transmuted into gold. 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