Chapter 6 |
The United States Breaks Away
• American War of Independence
• The Loyalists
• The War of 1812
War of
Independence
 Britain was deeply in debt after the Seven Years’ War.
 Britain wanted the 13 colonies to pay for the troops they had
stationed in the 13 colonies.
 The War of Independence started as a war between Britain
and the Thirteen Colonies, but gradually grew into a World War
between Britain on one side and the newly formed United
States, France & Spain on the other side.
 The war deeply divided communities in the Thirteen Colonies.
People who supported the rebellion called themselves
“Patriots”. People who opposed the rebellion- who wanted to
remain loyal to Britain- called themselves the “United Empire
Loyalists”
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT9ZmqbVYRk
The Loyalists
 The American War of Independence shattered the
British Empire
 The United Empire Loyalists were those colonists who
remained faithful to the British crown.
 The Loyalists came from every class and walk of life.
 Some depended on the Crown for their livelihood
and status and had considerable wealth and
property.
 They were farmers, craftsman, clerks, clergyman,
lawyers, labourers, soldiers and slaves.
The Loyalists
 Their reasons for becoming Loyalists were as
varied as their backgrounds.
 Some had strong ties with Britain, others sided
with what turned out to be the losing side.
 Loyalists believed that the British connection
guaranteed them a more secure and
prosperous life .
 Life for Loyalists in the Thirteen Colonies was hard;
therefore approximately 70,000 Loyalists fled.
• Of these 70,000,
roughly 50,000 went
to the British North
American Colonies of
Quebec and Nova
Scotia.
Loyalists in Nova Scotia
 In the Spring of 1776 the first shipload of Loyalists
left the Thirteen Colonies for Nova Scotia. The
British government gave them free passage and
permitted them to take necessary articles with
them.
 Up to 30,000 decided to leave for Nova Scotia
 Approximately half of the Acadians settled near
the Saint John River, in what would later become
New Brunswick.
Loyalists in Quebec
 Refugees fleeing , coming from various
backgrounds.
 Bring a new English and Protestant dynamic to
the colony.
 Most come from upstate New York, back
country of Pennsylvania and New England.
 Life is in fact better in Quebec than it was in the
Thirteen Colonies.
The Quebec Act, 1774
 Catholic people in Quebec could practice
their religion
 Canadiens were allowed to be in the
government once they had taken an oath
of loyalty to Britain
 French civil law was once again allowed, this
law still exists and is used in Quebec today
 Extended the boundaries of Quebec
beyond the proclamation line, however, this
was not done by consulting with FN as it was
stated in the Royal Proclamation of 1763
Impacts on First Nations
 The Loyalists had a major impact on FN, especially
Mi’kmaq and Anishinabe
 The Loyalists were farmers – this led to Britain
negotiating treaties/agreements with FN
 Prior to Loyalists arriving Britain had peace treaties
with FN
 Once the Loyalists arrived Britain negotiated treaties
as a way of taking over FN land for settlements
 Why would they need more land for settlements?