Why do loyalists oppose independence

They had spent the preceding years living in the interior of the southern colonies and were suspicious of the independence movement that had grown along the coast. Just as Revolutionaries enjoyed more support in certain colonies, so did Loyalists. Larger numbers of Loyalists existed in New York, Pennsylvania, and the southern colonies, but even Revolutionary strongholds like Massachusetts contained some Loyalists.

During the spring of , numerous Massachusetts towns voted on the question of independence. Many, but not all, voted to support independence. One town that voted to oppose the idea was Barnstable, Massachusetts.

Edward Bacon, a loyalist, successfully argued that his fellow townspeople in Barnstable already enjoyed free trade, as if they were independent. War against Britain would only disrupt that freedom. When delegates expressed support for the removal of officials who were obstructing independence, their colonial governments gave in, finally providing them with instructions to pursue independence if other colonies proposed the measure. Those in British North America were not the only ones concerned about the possibility of American independence.

Others across the Empire watched these developments with great interest. A challenge to British authority had the potential to be felt not just in the colonies, but in Britain itself. British merchants and some members of parliament had initially been sympathetic to colonial resistance, but rebellion was far more serious than their earlier political resistance. Support for American colonists in Britain had fallen when American militia shed the blood of British Regulars. Attacking these soldiers was considered by many in Britain to be an attack on the King himself.

The Continental Congress had attempted to reach out to other British colonies in North America in the hopes of gaining allies to create a more powerful resistance. Colonies in the Caribbean were hesitant to support the American colonies. They feared that joining in rebellion would bring economic consequences and possibly encourage a revolt among the enslaved population.

The developing situation in North America offered a unique opportunity for the former French subjects living in the British colonies of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Foundland.

Allying with other American colonists had the potential to let them escape from British rule, but they distrusted the Americans to their South.

Cultural differences existed between them, especially in terms of religion. These former French subjects were largely Catholic, while religion in the other American colonies was largely dominated by different types of Protestant faiths. Their distrust became stronger when American military forces attempted to preemptively conquer them. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Why did the loyalists oppose independence? Ben Davis May 15, Why did the loyalists oppose independence?

What was the position of loyalists after the Declaration of Independence? Who did the loyalists fight for? How were the Black Loyalists treated? How did the loyalists impact British North America? Loyalists IV: Backcountry 5. The Pacifists 6. The Enslaved 7. Common Sense? They are attended with the bitterest resentments and produce the greatest quantity of human woes.

Discussion Questions From these readings, describe the methods and motivations of anti-Loyalist and anti-British actions. Compare the nonviolent actions of the Patriot Committees of Safety and the violent actions of Patriot mobs. For both violent and nonviolent actions, how did they serve as vengeance? How do leadership and group solidarity function in 1 the quasiofficial committee of safety and 2 the transient violent crowd? What would be the effect of viewing the publicly posted anti-Loyalist broadsides and reading the recantation statements in newspapers?

What gives them their power? What function did they serve in a transitional period to war? How do the two allegiance forms differ in purpose and wording? Why would blank forms be printed in advance? What commentary and tone does Peter Oliver add to the newspaper list of anti-Loyalist violence? Why does he call the mob attacks "very innocent Frolics of Rebellion"?

What is Oliver's point in his last sentence? Most notably, Spanish forces attacked British positions in the south and captured West Florida from Britain in the siege of Pensacola. The battle was a disastrous defeat for the Patriots. Montgomery was killed and Arnold wounded. Arnold then conducted an ineffectual siege on the city, but was driven over the border, back to Fort Ticonderoga.