Revolutionary Ideas: Patriots vs. Loyalists
In early America, there were three factions that developed within the colonies- Loyalists, Patriots, and fence-sitters (neutral). This melting pot of different ideas, goals, and outlooks is what made pre-Revolutionary War America so volatile. These three factions seem easy to identify, Patriots wanted freedom from the crown all together, Loyalists want to stay British, and fence-sitters want to stay out of the political battle all together. However, it goes much farther than that, many different backgrounds and goals drove these people forward. Many did not take up the title of Loyalist or Patriot unless the struggles affected them directly, many more only took sides when it was profitably to
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Not because they believed in their cause but it was a way to save their financial wealth.
In the years before the war for independence, a majority of the colonies were supporters of our union with the British Empire. The dangers to a young colony were numerous, and without the vast resources of the British, it is doubtful the colonies would have survived. As the years progress, the colonies developed a stronger economy, increased food productions, and developed local governments that reduced the need for a guardian empire. As the British government tried to increase its control over the colonies, a group of colonials started to think about life out from under British controls. This group eventually came to be known as the “Patriots.”
The reasons for the rise of the Patriots were as many as there were Patriots. The decision to affiliate with a group is a personal decision, so we cannot cover all of them but we will discuss some of the major motivators for the push towards independence.
In the beginning, the colonies depended on Britain to defend them against the Native Americans. The colonists took lands that belonged to the Natives and due to the conflicts that erupted, colonists felt they needed British protection. “The determination of most farmers to give their prime allegiance to their homes and locality had
Within the time frame from 1750 to 1781, historical evidence, as well as many documents, suggests that although the colonists at this time had developed a strong sense of unity, they had a weaker sense of identity. Leading up to the eve of revolution, the colonists had began developing bonds among them through unified acts against English taxes, the stamp act congress, and Townshend acts; also, organizations such as the sons and daughters of liberty had emerged. The colonists began to realize that if they all worked together, they could ultimately be a free nation, and they wouldn't have to be controlled by they English government in which they were not represented. Unity however, is not the same as identity. A sense of identity was harder
The years of 1763-1765 were truly defining moments for colonist of the colonies, soon to become the United States of America. ‘’War! War! This is the only way!” American Colonist shouted,as they took to the streets proclaiming defiance of British rule. “We as a people shall fight for our freedom and have victory.No more shall we continue to let others control our countries and give our money to a monarch who has no concern for our right’s, dedication that was put forth to help fight and respect us as loyal subjects.We must fight for our freedom!” When American colonist waged war it proved to be the only way for the colonies to become free from Britian. In turn, the colonist were justified in breaking away from England because of: The
During the American Revolution, people had to decide which side to support. Colonists for independence from England were usually called revolutionaries or whigs. But some Americans thought that to break away from the British government would not be right; they usually were called loyalists or tories.
American colonists mainly descended from England and were loyal to the British Crown, however, politically the decisions made in the Continental Congress and the stopping of salutary neglect angered the colonists, socially, as a result of unfair taxes, colonists from all the colonies began to rebel and thus have their interests aligned which developed a sense of social unity, and economically after many unjust acts were carried out by the British Empire, the colonies began to help one another, therefore between 1750 to 1776 colonists began to cease their loyalty towards England and develop an independent American identity.
In the year 1764, King George III of Great Britain placed taxes on colonial America causing anger to flourish within the colonies resulting in their rebellion from the British. One-third of the colony wanted independence from Great Britain, the Patriots, while another third decided to stay loyal to the British, the loyalists/tories. The Patriots soon went to war with Britain for their independence, but the rest of the colony was reluctant to join the Patriots’ cause for various reasons. The loyalists were hesitant to join the American Revolution because of the nonideal living location and the British protected them when no one else would.
They were loyal to the American government and were mostly interested in the war. They wanted America to get the justice they believed it deserved and were ready to do whatever it took to do so. Not all patriots were interested in war just a few years after the American revolution, but a particular group called the “Warhawks” definitely were. The Warhawks wanted to go to war with Britain and were quite happy to hear about the call to arms in 1812, mainly, because they had suggested president Madison to do so. Having patriots in America may have been why their army was stronger than the British, Americans were more enthusiastic about the war.
After 1776 Loyalists felt the urge to remain allies with Great Britain. This urge came from their own sense of protection and personal gain. Although other American colonists choose a different political standpoint, they were Patriots. They lived for independence and liberty away from the power of the king of Great Britain. However Loyalists supported the king and the traditional ways of Great Britain. American colonists would support Great Britain as Loyalists for their own sense of safety in the colonies, as an escape from embarrassment and failure, and for their own prosperity economically and emotionally. Having the fear of losing their sense of honor and rank, they decided to continue serving Great Britain as Loyalists.
The American Revolutionary War, also known as the American War of Independence, started from 1775 and ended in 1783. This turning event in history was caused by Great Britain governing the 13 colonies and taxing goods without consent. After the French and Indian War, King George the 3rd needed to pay off war debt. His solution was to tax the colonies, which made them agitated and revolt against Great Britain and their soldiers called the redcoats. There were some people who wanted to stay loyal to Britain and were called Loyalists. On the other hand, colonists who fought for their freedom and supported independence from the British were called Patriots. The colonists and British both believed that the war would be over quickly.Unfortunantly, the colonists didn’t have an experienced and well-trained army unlike the British. Thanks to the France, Spain, and Netherlands, who affiliated with the American patriots the colonists were able to win the war against Britain. Gaining allies was a prominent event because the American colonies needed support from other countries in order
The American colonists fought for many years to achieve their independence from Britain. Risking their lives in war and petition, they rebelled and demonstrated their passion for freedom. They were prepared to sacrifice their very lives fighting for the freedoms to which they were entitled. The American colonists were justified in uprising and separating from Britain due to the constant oppression they were under from British rule. They were expected to pay extreme taxes, held in disdain by the British, ruled by a King insensitive to their welfare, and severely damaged by his control.
Those who chose to stay with Britain, the Loyalists, did not consider unfair taxes and regulations good reasons for rebellion. Some loyalists lived in relative isolation and had not been part of the wave of discontent that turned many Americans against Britain. Others expected to win the war and wanted to regain favor with the Britain. The Patriots, on the other hand, were colonists who supported the war for independence. They believed that British rule had become unbearable. The Patriots were determined to fight the British until American independence won. Both were colonists control by British, want to regain there favor from British, and were considered unfair taxes. I would be a Patriot because I want to fight the British to regain our independence from Britain. So that we don't have to face rule that are unbearable and pay unfair
Leading up to the American Revolution, were a chain of events that created a spark in the colonists to obtain independence from Great Britain. The American Revolution could not be tied to one single event but instead by the feelings and determination brought on by this chain of disgraceful actions. Gordon S. Wood explains what he believes caused the rebellion of the American colonists from Great Britain and how those causes help explain the outcomes of the revolution in his essay, “Radical Possibilities of the American Revolution.” Wood argues that the colonists were motivated to rebel against the British monarchy due to their need to preserve their liberties and through this revolution a radical change in government and American life occurred.
The american revolution was a world conflict. how was this a world conflict you ask. this war has many story to it told viewed by different sides. one was the Spaniard, the others were the French, and the last one is the patriots. Each of them fought Great Britain but tell the different sides of the story. Many say that the Patriots fought the big and great Britain by themselves, to sound more heroic no our side. the rally one is that the one of the worlds power jump in the chase that Britain had with Washington,that was Spain.Then afterward the the French jumped in the fight against Britain. This way had trouble chasing down Washington they had their mind set on get Washington only, they were not expecting for Spain and the French to get in the fight.
We Patriots have a strong belief in colonial independence due to unnecessary, violent actions taken by the British government and taxation without representation. Many conflicts occurred between the British troops and Patriots declaring their freedom. For example, the Boston Massacre began as “two bullets struck Crispus Attucks, a large black man at the front of the crowd. He was the first to die, but not the last. The enraged crowd went home only after receiving a promise that the troops would be tried for murder” (TCI 70). The vulnerable colonists involved in this incident were victims of excessive force by the British. During the trial, the jury had ruled that 6 of the soldiers were not guilty but two others were only charged with manslaughter.
Multiple people made sacrifices to create a base for our nation. Simply stating you were a Patriot was treason to the King. Since they had no say on their government, the Patriots took action, such as with the Stamp Act which led to the Boston Massacre. Patriots established the First Continental Congress, and they decided to raise an army.
1776, the time we all know about, the famous war, independence, and many other events that happened throughout this period of time. The famous battle that lasted 7 years between America and the tremendous army, British. The British located in South Carolina wanted to attack Americans Located in North Carolina. There were many battles in this period of time until America had a plan to beat the British.