Chris is an instructional designer and college faculty member. He has a Master's Degree in Education and also umpires baseball.
Think of your group of friends. Ever notice how some of them are always opposed to what the group wants to do? If everyone decides to order pizza, they think tacos are the way to go. Maybe they're vocal about this, or maybe they quietly disagree so as not to make waves and start a fight. During the American Revolutionary period (ca. 1770-1785), the patriots fighting for independence also had those friends with contrary desires.
At that time in the colonies, you either wanted independence from Britain, or desired to stay under their control. Those against independence were called loyalists because they were loyal to Britain. Also called Tories, they were opposed by patriots, who wanted independence. Like that pesky few in your friend group, loyalists were sometimes hard to pin down because they feared speaking up and earning retribution.
Since their founding, the American colonies were under British control. Great Britain wanted to expand its empire throughout the world, so they established colonies anywhere they could. Over time, many in the 13 colonies (what would become the United States) started rumbling for independence, rather than having some monarchy 3,000 miles away telling them what do to.
But not everyone wanted this freedom. Many people were happy with status quo and felt there was no reason to forcefully oppose actions of the British government. If anything needed to change, it should be done peacefully. They believed if people were to take up arms or riot, that would lead to a terrible situation with mob rule and no control. Think of your group of friends again, and what happens when they fight over what to do -- sometimes, everyone picks sides and gets angry with each other, and you end up at home in the basement watching reruns. Not fun.
Loyalists who wanted to maintain the support of Britain weren't the loudest and most outspoken group, save for a few examples, so their exact number is unknown, but generally ranges from one fifth to one third of colonists. Not exactly a majority.
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Though small in number, loyalists were diverse and lived everywhere. A blacksmith, a merchant, a minister, African Americans thinking Britain would free them, Native Americans; the list goes on. Some simply supported Britain. Others actually took up arms and fought as guerrillas (think special forces) against the Continental Army, as some from New York did.
Loyalists were keen on getting their way, just not forcefully. There were some who did use harsher actions, but most did not. It wasn't always easy to identify who was a loyalist, as they came from all walks of life. For example, a letter from a 'Jersey Farmer' appeared in a local pamphlet (early newspaper) in 1775:
I am a plain countryman, and know that many of my good honest neighbors disapprove of most of the late (recent) measures and proceedings of the Congress, as well as myself.
It's obvious here that this farmer wants to state his (and others') opposition to the Congress (who were patriots), but wanted to remain anonymous.
Surely, you have some strong opinions of those friends who disagree with the group. Patriots in fact had their own views of the loyalists. Many believed loyalists to be only interested in themselves, making money off their support of Britain, and weak minded because they would not speak up. They were also biased towards the idea of America, and were considered untrustworthy.
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Remember how loyalists were not violent in most cases? Unfortunately, the patriots were ferocious against them. Some states passed laws requiring an oath of allegiance to the state or made citizens serve in the army. Loyalists were jailed indefinitely or had their property seized and burned. Others faced higher taxes or the loss of voting. An extreme example of poor treatment was tarring and feathering. A loyalist would be stripped and covered with hot tar and tossed with feathers. All of this was done in public so everyone could see the example being made. Many loyalists would end up fleeing to Canada to avoid this mistreatment.
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As mentioned, many loyalists chose to remain quiet and anonymous and thus have been lost to history. There were, however some famous examples.
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Their thoughts survive today as well. Some of their loyalist words are below:
'You have now pointed out to you, Gentlemen, two Roads - one evidently leading to Peace, Happiness, and a Restoration of the public Tranquility - the other inevitably conducting you to Anarchy, Misery, and all the Horrors of a Civil War.' - William Franklin, governor of New Jersey, 1775
'I leave America, and every endearing connection, because I will not raise my hand against my Sovereign - nor will I draw my sword against my Country.' - Isaac Wilkins, 1775
In your group of friends there are always those who disagree with everyone else. Maybe you know who they are, maybe you don't. They are against the majority and you can't figure out why. In the Revolutionary period, loyalists were the quiet opposition. They favored peaceful continuation of rule by the British government, in contrast to patriots who wanted outright independence and would raise arms and fight for freedom. Though under-appreciated because of their conflicting views, their place in American history is no less important than the views of your friends that differ from yours.
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AP US History: Help and Review30 chapters | 478 lessons | 1 flashcard set
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