Argumentative Essay: Loyalists vs. Patriots
Assigned date: _____________________
Due date: ___________________
Score: _______
Directions: You are to write an argumentative essay on whether you would be a Loyalist
or a Patriot during the American Revolution.
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Chapter 8, Part 2 Test, one major grade in history (55%)
Essay must be 5 paragraphs in length
Each paragraph must include 5-7 complete sentences
Capitalization, punctuation, grammar, indentation, transition of thoughts, etc. will count
Use this introductory, your textbook, any internet research based text, History Channel,
library books, reference books are acceptable materials for your use (plagiarism is not an
option)
 Essay must be hand written unless otherwise specified by teacher (with permission)
 Do view and follow your essay rubric for best possible score
Background Information:
During the time of the American Revolution, many residents of the colonies were unsure
whether the idea of separating from England was a wise one. Many were strictly opposed to it.
These individuals were called loyalists. Loyalists had good reason to oppose a push for
independence. 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 TransAtlantic trade with England, and were worried that an independent nation would be reduced to
anarchy. Many had a financial interest as part of the British Empire and change represented
uncertainty with respect to the continued prosperity.
In contrast, the Patriots had valid reasons for wanting to part with England. They believed their
individual liberties had been violated by the British Crown and that their rights were being taken
away after the implementation of various taxes and acts. One of the acts, known as the
Quartering Act, forced colonists to provide provisions and shelter to British soldiers. Another
law, known as the Boston Harbor Bill, closed the port of Boston following the infamous Tea
Party. Furthermore, colonists lacked representation in Parliament. Patriots believed the English
Crown was attempting to exert more and more control over their lives and businesses. English
acts were passed that regulated colonial trade and gave monopolies to British companies.
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Loyalist Ideas:
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We want a strong, unified British Empire. Everyone benefits from that.
The national debt is due to the French and Indian War which was fought
partly to protect English colonists in North America. Now there is more
English land in America to protect. We should help pay.
We are British subjects, and we should obey British law. The King and
Parliament have the right to tax the colonies and to make laws for the
colonies. We cannot pick and choose which laws to obey. We must accept
all the laws made by our government. That’s the only way a government
can work.
The American colonies would be weak and defenseless without Britain. We
need Britain’s protection on the seas to be able to trade. If we were without
British protection, another country might conquer us.
We all profit from trade with England. Parliament does not really need to
tax us in order to make money from the Colonies. Colonies and the mother
country will prosper through peaceful trade. However, if Parliament wants
to tax us, it has the right to do so.
Many people are trying to make a living that depends on British trade.
Economic boycotts are not fair to hardworking merchants and shopkeepers.
People are being bullied into obeying the boycott. What kind of freedom is
that?
We are too far away from England, and that is why it would not be practical
for us to be represented in Parliament. We are still British subjects.
The streets of Boston are out of control with riots and mob violence. Of
course British troops have come to protect people’s safety and keep peace.
All this unrest and talk of independence is being stirred up by a few
smugglers and merchants who hope to get rich by avoiding paying customs
duties and by putting their competitors out of business. The common people
are being manipulated.
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Patriot Ideas:
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All people have certain rights that the government cannot take away,
including a right to hold on to their own property. Taxation takes away
some of our property. Our property (including money and goods) can only
be taken from us if we or our representatives agree to it. The colonists do
not have representation in Parliament, so Parliament cannot make laws to tax
us. We have not agreed to be taxed. No taxation without representation. If
there is to be any taxation, let our own colonial Assembly make that
decision. Any money collected should be used here, not sent to England.
There is no way we could ever be represented in Parliament. We are too far
away, and our representatives would be so outnumbered that their votes
would barely matter.
We think we have done a good job of governing ourselves for many years,
and we want to continue.
England’s national debt is not our responsibility. We loaned money to
Parliament for the war effort, and we have not been repaid. Many colonists
fought in the French and Indian War. We have done our part. England’s
land holdings in America have expanded, and England is benefiting from fur
and fish trading now that the French are gone.
British troops have been sent to Boston to threaten us. The troops are
causing violence, not controlling it. The unfair taxes and tax collectors are
causing riots. We are being provoked.
Parliament is trying to suppress us. We have every right to protest and resist
unfair laws. The Stamp Act, for example, interfered with every aspect of our
lives.
Innocent people died in the Boston Massacre. That event would not have
happened if the troops had not been here.
England is trying to use us and make money from us. Parliament is trying to
control which companies and countries do business with us. Customs
officials and some merchants are getting rich.
John Hancock’s ship ,The Liberty, has been seized. American sea
merchants have been unlawfully pressed (captured) by British captains.
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Name: ______________________________________ Date: __________________ Class: _________
(first)
(last)
Write Loyalist or Patriot in the rectangle:
Provide at least 3 reasons for your stand on being a Loyalist or Patriot during the American Revolutionary War:
Additional reasons or comments on your stand of being a loyalist or patriot, please write in below:
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Name: ____________________________________________
Date: ________________ Class: ________
Rough Draft
(mistakes are encouraged here, start writing, remember to indent at start of each new paragraph)
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Rough Draft
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Name: ____________________________________________
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Date: ________________ Class: ________
(last)
Final Draft
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Name: ____________________________________________
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Date: ________________ Class: ________
(last)
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