Who Were the Loyalists and Patriots?
The colonies were divided over the question of independence, or separation from Great Britain.Historians disagree about how many colonists chose to be either Patriots[people in the American colonies who wanted the colonies to become independent from Great Britain]orLoyalists[people in the American colonies who opposed independence and wanted the colonies to remain under the control of the king and Great Britain].Almost all historians believe that there were many more Patriots than Loyalists.But probably less than half of the colonists were Patriots.Some colonists wereneutral, or did not take sides.
The Loyalists included many kinds of people, some of whom were rich landowners.They feared that Patriot mobs might take their property.Some Loyalists were governors who had been appointed to their jobs by King George III. These men liked their government, and they felt that it was their duty to make sure that British laws were obeyed in the colonies.
Other Loyalists were religious leaders who believed that the King’s power came from God.Many of them were members of the Church of England, Great Britain’s official church.They believed that it was wrong to oppose the King and told their followers that they had a duty to be loyal to the church and to the King!
Many colonists were Patriots, including merchants who lived in and around the city of Boston.They were angry about British taxes on goods such as tea and paper.The taxes hurt their businesses because many colonists boycotted the taxed goods.
Some Patriots were lawyers, who fought in the courts against British laws that they thought were unfair.They believed that the colonists should have more say in making laws that directly affected them.
Some Patriots were farmers, while others were people who worked at crafts such as printing and shipbuilding.Many believed that independence would bring more wealth to the colonies.
Sons and Daughters of Liberty (Patriots) –
The Sons of Liberty was a secret political organization in the American Colonies that protested against British taxes and laws before the American Revolution. By the time the revolution began, there were chapters of the Sons of Liberty in all thirteen colonies.The Sons of Liberty had to arrange secret meetings or British soldiers might arrest them.They were willing to break the law and use violence in order to get their point across.
The Daughters of Liberty performed equally important functions. Once many imported goods were boycotted, colonists needed a way to get materials that they were no longer receiving from Britain. Daughters of Liberty worked to create colonial-made versions of boycotted goods. The Daughters of Liberty became instrumental in upholding the boycott, particularly where tea was concerned.
Wealthy Land Owners
Farmers
Religious Leaders
Appointed Governors
Lawyers
Boston Merchants