Minority Movement: 30-40% Younger Felt recent British laws on violated their rights as British citizens (e.g. taxing without consent, quartering soldiers.

Minority Movement: 30-40%

Younger Felt recent British laws on

violated their rights as British citizens (e.g. taxing without consent, quartering soldiers in citizens’ homes, and denying colonists the right to a trial, trade restrictions).

Many live in the New England Colonies, especially Massachusetts

Most numerous in Presbyterian & Congregationalist areas

About 20%- 30% EducatedAristocratic (wealthy)OlderWealthy landownersPeople who benefitted

from the crown: Anglican clergymen, king’s officers

People with close business or political ties to Britain

High number of Loyalists in New York City, Quaker Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and in the Southern Colonies (Charleston).

Least numerous in New England Many agreed that the American colonists

had suffered at the hands of the British but the Loyalists hoped that a peaceful reconciliation with British government was possible.

Most numerous where the Anglican Church (Church of England) was strongest- taught to obey the king

The Iroquois Confederation: had a working relationship with British officials and was angered by colonists encroaching into their territory, sided with British.

Tenant farmers: often choose their position based on which side their landowner supported. For example, if a Patriot landowner was

cruel and always raised the rent, the tenant would be a Loyalist, but if the Patriot landowner was kind and collected a fair rent, the tenant would be a Patriot.

Non-English speaking colonists: Viewed the conflict between the British government and the Patriots as family quarrel among the English. They wanted to stay out of it and be left alone.

Colonists in debt with British creditors: Often became Patriots because it could get them out of paying back their debt.

Feared that violent change would make things worse

During the Revolution taking a Loyalist stance was dangerous, especially in the New England colonies

Many Loyalists were brutally attacked and killed. Their property was destroyed or confiscated. About 80,000 fled the American Colonies for their

own safety. Some Loyalists moved to England and many more moved to nearby Canada.

50,000 volunteered to serve in British causeServed as spies, incited Indians, attacked Patriot

homes

Both sides used propaganda during the war to garner support

Propaganda: information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

Sometimes, the propaganda was in poster form. This engraving from the Boston Massacre was used to garner support for the Patriots.

Other times, the propaganda was in the form of written essays that were printed and distributed.

Here is an example: Thomas Payne’s Common Sense

You have a sheet of paper that has Advertising Techniques on one side and Propaganda War on the other

First read over the advertising techniquesThen use the other side to plan what kind of

propaganda you will create. You can create a poster, an essay like Thomas

Payne’s, or even write out a speechYour propaganda should include a minimum of

3 facts about Patriots or Loyalists that would convince your audience to join your side.