Download Loyalists vs. Patriots

Loyalists vs. Patriots
Essential Questions:
1. Who were Loyalists and who were Patriots?
2. What did Loyalists and Patriots believe?
Loyalists

Loyalists were American
colonists who remained
loyal to the Great Britain

They were often referred
to as Tories, Royalists, or
King's Men by the Patriots

Historians estimate that
15% and 20% of the white
population were Loyalists

Many Loyalists fled the
country at the start of the
revolution
Who were loyalists?

They were older

Many were merchants and
wealthy

Many active in the Church of
England were Loyalists

Most of the Pennsylvania Dutch
were loyalists
◦ They feared their royal land grants
would be in danger with a
republican form of government

About100,000 loyalists left the
country after the revolution
Patriots

Patriots came from many
different backgrounds

Most were highly educated
and wealthy

Support of ordinary men and
women (farmers, mechanics,
homemakers, and
shopkeepers) aided the
Patriot cause

These middle and lower
classes didn’t like their
economic situation
◦ Largely due to British taxation
Views of the Patriots

Believed British taxes
were not "legal“

The colonists were not
directly represented in
Parliament

The British believed in
"virtual representation,“
◦ All members of Parliament
represent the interests of
all the citizens of the
British empire
The Arguments
1.
People have rights
government can’t
take away, like
property
2.
Taxation takes away property
(i.e. – money and goods)
3.
American colonies would be weak
without Britain
Colonists don’t have voice in
Parliament, so they can’t tax
colonies (No taxation without
representation)
4.
Colonies profit from trade with
England
There’s no way colonies could
ever be represented –
Parliament’s too far
5.
Many colonists fought in
the French & Indian War
(we’ve done our part)
British personnel are
causing violence,
riots, and death
(Boston Massacre &
Boston Tea
Party)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A strong unified
British Empire is
good for all
Colonists are British subjects
and should obey British law
Taxes are due to French & Indian
War which was fought to protect
colonies
6.
Colonies are too far away
from England to have
representation in Parliament,
its just not practical
6.