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.
 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
 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
 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 Patriots
because it could get them out of paying back their debt.
 Feared that violent change would make things worse
 During the Revolution taking a Loyalist stance was
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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
 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)
 The colonists can defeat Great
Britain because they have homeground 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)
 The colonists do not have the
money to form and maintain a
national army and navy.
(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)
 Being part of the British
empire gives the colonists
access to goods from all over the
world. (Loyalist View)
 The colonists have a secure
market in Great Britain for their
goods and raw materials.
(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)
 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)
 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)
Patriot or Loyalist…
Patriot or Loyalist…
The choice is yours.