Patriots Vs. Loyalists

The American Colonies were divided into the Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary times.

Loyalists

Loyalists were the American colonists who remained loyal to Britain. They were often referred as the Tories, Royalists, or Kings Men by the Patriots. Many of them were older wealthy merchants who belong to the Church of England. Fifteen to twenty percent of white populations were Loyalists. The most number of loyalists were found in the Middle Colonies. Most of Pennsylvania Dutch were Loyalists because they feared the lands that were given to them by the royalty will be in danger with a republican form of government. They thought resistance to the Crown was morally wrong. Most loyalists were passive and waited London to send armies to suppress the rebellion. Patriots would insult Loyalists because they didn’t believe in the Patriots causes. About 100,000 loyalists left the country after the Revolution.

Loyalist Argument

-         Common Heritage and Culture with England

-         Benefit from the trans-Atlantic trade

-         Many were first generation or had close relatives in England

-         Strong sense of duty to British Crown

-         Farms and Farm products could be greatly reduced in value

     -    Separate government could become an anarchy

-         They thought actions taken by revolutionary committees were illegal

Patriots

Patriots were also called Whigs or Americans Most Patriots were highly educated but many ordinary men and women supported and aided the Patriot cause. The middle and lower classes didn’t like the economic situation mainly due to British taxation. They believed British taxes were illegal because the colonists were not directly represented in Parliament. Patriots fought to end the power and control Britain had over the Colonists and by doing this eventually they gained Independence from Britain. Patriots’ goal was to defend American rights and preserve the principles of republicanism by rejecting monarchy and aristocracy.

Patriot Argument

-         Individual liberty was threatened by greater government

-         A series of acts and laws passed by the British Government were oppressive and indicative of a decline in colonial rights.

-         No representation in British Parliament

-         The Quartering of British troops

-         Closing of the Port of Boston

-         British control of trade