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we all know american history . we broke away from england ,the first colony in the world to ever do that. but I'm curious, what percent of the population was for it?? I know some fought on the side of the british, so not everyone thought it was a good idea at the time.I tried googling it but never can find a good answer.
I've seen sources suggest that anywhere from 1/3 to 1/6 of colonists were Loyalists. That's a wide range, but it would be hard to determine a more exact number given some circumstances: is this counting Indian and slave populations, who would be more likely to favor the British; how many were actively Loyalist vs. just too busy, scared, or apathetic to pick sides or be actively patriot; does it include people who opposed the crown but do not want to pursue independence; did people change their minds in one direction or another during the course of a long struggle.
I would suggest that the break down was as follows.....
A third were Loyalists, a third were rebels, and a third just wanted to be "left alone ".
Bear in mind that in some cases, the use of physical violence was used, to force out those who were not in favour of rebellion. Having your farm burned down, or your livestock killed was not at all uncommon.
United Empire Loyalists, who fled to Upper or Lower Canada, were numbered in the thousands, and even today, some descendants still use the honorific UEL after their names, to remind others of their family history. Free land grants, patronage appointments, and financial support were all offered to the UEL families, by the British Government .
I just googled "percentage of loyalists and patriots" and a quote from Wikipedia came up saying:
"Historian Robert Calhoon said the consensus of historians is that between 40 and 45 percent of the white population in the Thirteen Colonies supported the Patriots' cause, between 15 and 20% supported the Loyalists, and the remainder were neutral or kept a low profile." - Robert M. Calhoon, "Loyalism and neutrality" in Jack P. Greene; J. R. Pole (2008). A Companion to the American Revolution. John Wiley & Sons. p. 235.
I've seen sources suggest that anywhere from 1/3 to 1/6 of colonists were Loyalists. That's a wide range, but it would be hard to determine a more exact number given some circumstances: is this counting Indian and slave populations, who would be more likely to favor the British; how many were actively Loyalist vs. just too busy, scared, or apathetic to pick sides or be actively patriot; does it include people who opposed the crown but do not want to pursue independence; did people change their minds in one direction or another during the course of a long struggle.
this is why I never fully believe in any type of survey.you may be very pro-british ,but if someone starts pounding on your door to ask you, you'll probably say you're for independence just so you dont get labeled a traitor.
we all know american history . we broke away from england ,the first colony in the world to ever do that. but I'm curious, what percent of the population was for it?? I know some fought on the side of the british, so not everyone thought it was a good idea at the time.I tried googling it but never can find a good answer.
I do not know what the percentages were but many Americans were still undecided at the start of the Revolution. However, British actions drove many neutral Americans over to the side of the Rebels.
The bombing of seaports in New England, the arming and promotion of Indian attacks on civilians on the Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York frontiers, the murder and execution of even young people (like Jane McCrea and Nathan Hale), and the calls for slave rebellions in the South, all contributed to loss of support for the British.
I would suggest that the break down was as follows.....
A third were Loyalists, a third were rebels, and a third just wanted to be "left alone ".
Bear in mind that in some cases, the use of physical violence was used, to force out those who were not in favour of rebellion. Having your farm burned down, or your livestock killed was not at all uncommon.
United Empire Loyalists, who fled to Upper or Lower Canada, were numbered in the thousands, and even today, some descendants still use the honorific UEL after their names, to remind others of their family history. Free land grants, patronage appointments, and financial support were all offered to the UEL families, by the British Government .
Jim B. In Toronto.
Unfortunately I think Canadian Citizen may be right. There were plenty that fled.
Some areas, such as where I live, near New York City, had a huge number of Loyalists. That may be one reason that Washington abandoned NYC rather than fought hard to hold it. It may also be why the first capital was placed there; to keep an eye on the place and keep its harbor under control.
I suspect that New England and Virginia were overwhelmingly pro-rebel and other areas, such as New York, New Jersey, and the Carolinas in favor of the status quo. Pennsylvania I don't have a feel for.
I suspect that New England and Virginia were overwhelmingly pro-rebel and other areas, such as New York, New Jersey, and the Carolinas in favor of the status quo. Pennsylvania I don't have a feel for.
I seem to recall that Pennsylvania was largely neutral due to the large German and Quaker population. The Presbyterian/Scots-Irish tended to be Loyalist in Pennsylvania and elsewhere as well.
I seem to recall that Pennsylvania was largely neutral due to the large German and Quaker population. The Presbyterian/Scots-Irish tended to be Loyalist in Pennsylvania and elsewhere as well.
Unfortunately I think Canadian Citizen may be right. There were plenty that fled.
Some areas, such as where I live, near New York City, had a huge number of Loyalists. That may be one reason that Washington abandoned NYC rather than fought hard to hold it. It may also be why the first capital was placed there; to keep an eye on the place and keep its harbor under control.
I suspect that New England and Virginia were overwhelmingly pro-rebel and other areas, such as New York, New Jersey, and the Carolinas in favor of the status quo. Pennsylvania I don't have a feel for.
Philadelphia was the seat of independence, yet Pennsylvania was also heavily Quaker and Mennonite, who were pacifists and many didn't support the war for non-violent reasons, not necessarily because they were loyalists.
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