Who
Loyalism is not a literal descriptor or identifiable term
for people on the losing side of the Revolution.
Loyalists were supporters of Britain living in colonial
America in the 1760s and 1770s.
Loyalism can be considered active or passive based on the
individual’s actions.
Some major groups that provided significant Loyalists were the
royal officers, merchants, immigrants, and the Anglican Church leadership.
Free blacks, slaves, and Indians were also Loyalists.
Loyalists made up a minority of all economic classes. There
were farmers, merchants, etc.
No more than 20%, or about 160,000 to 384,000, of the
colonial population was active Loyalists.
Why
Loyalists supported because their position, livelihood, or
aspirations depended on loyalty or supported out of simple concern for loyalty
or law
-
Government officials, merchants (Norfolk, NYC,
etc), clergy
-
Middle class, regulars, etc
-
Hamilton and Jay (patriot aristocrats,
magistrates, govt officials) seen as oppressive tyrannical land owners who
would not give land reform. Prompted by 1766 itinerant riots
-
Ethnicity (Scots)
Slaves supported for freedom and Native Americans for
protection
Frustration with British policy, but avoiding full rebellion
In the 1760’s Loyalists who supported the rule of law,
believed there was a limit to acceptable protests, or disagreed with the
colonial mob protests were common.
When
In the 1760’s Loyalists who supported the rule of law,
believed there was a limit to acceptable protests, or disagreed with the
colonial mob protests were common.
Later in the early 1770’s moderate colonists, who would
later be named “loyalist” by their patriot peers, were important in negotiations
between the colonies and parliament. Colonists such as Joseph Galloway and John
Dickinson hoped to achieve peace between the two sides in order to avoid war.
After the conflict escalated, some colonists became more
aggressive in their loyalty to the Crown and stressed absolute loyalty.
Post-war, loyalists were dispersed all over the world –some went
to India, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, other British colonies. More stayed
in America than left. Loyalism became a badge of honor for those who went
across the world.
Post-war, loyalists who stayed were disadvantaged
politically, legally, and socially. This was found in Pennsylvania and among
Native American populations. Loyalism became a badge of shame for those who
stayed.
Where
Colonists tended to live near the coast, with the exception
of the backcountry Scots in NC or debtor farmers in NY.
Strong influence in the Carolinas and Georgia. Regional
influence particular in the South, with the exception of NY. Little influence
in New England. British overestimated loyalist sympathies in the South.
People are more likely to be loyalists where there is a
strong British presence, but extended interaction with the British (pillaging,
British not utilizing loyalist potential) made them less likely to support the
British cause.
Black loyalists who had won their freedom often became second-class citizens.
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