Patriots Loyalists And Neutrals Differing Viewpoints On The American Revolution

Those who wished to remain tied to great britain as colonies were called loyalists.

Patriots loyalists and neutrals differing viewpoints on the american revolution. Loyalists fence sitters and patriots it is impossible to know the exact number of american colonists who favored or opposed independence. Patriot committees of safety required citizens to pledge support for the cause of american independence or be deemed inimical to the liberties of america. The main difference between a patriot and a loyalist is that patriots strongly supported and fought to gain independence from the british rule during the american war of independence whereas loyalists supported the british rule and wanted to remain under british control during the american war of independence. Other names for patriots included sons of liberty rebels whigs and colonials.

Other names for loyalists included tories royalists and the kings friends. This stems from an estimate made by john adams in his personal writings in 1815. Many loyalists lived in new york city. As britain continued to attempt control over the colonies through taxes and regulations calls for independence grew across the 13 colonies.

Not everyone picked a side. The colonists who favored independence from great britain were called patriots. United empire loyalists both during and after the american revolution many loyalists left america to live in canada. The key difference between patriots and loyalists is the fact that the first were striving for liberty and independence from british domination while the latter were happy with british rule and believed that a unified empire was a strong empire.

Some americans could not decide which side to choose and remained neutral during the war. During the war british strategy relied heavily upon the misguided belief that the loyalist community could be mobilized into loyalist regiments. Loyalists at the outbreak of war. Differing opinions and sides in the american revolution posted on october 27 2020 october 27 2020 by mamcintosh engraving of the american revolutionary war depicting the death of british major patrick ferguson being shot from his horse on october 7 1780 as he commanded loyalist regulars and militia at the battle of.

During the american revolution the american colonists had to decide to support the war for independence or remain loyal to the british and king george iii. Interesting facts about patriots and loyalists. Most american colonists however did choose sides. Loyalists also known as tories or royalists were american colonists who supported the british monarchy during the american revolutionary war.

Many people tried to remain neutral so they could avoid conflict and the war. For years it was widely believed that one third favored the revolution one third opposed it and one third were undecided. It was known as the tory capital of america. What is the difference between patriots and loyalists.