what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution

Oddly, this is the view of the Revolution essentially held by the British at the time. For one thing, there were a number of seriously conflicted individuals. (The remainder, under the leadership of Cornplanter (John Abeel) and members of his family, stayed in New York.) By July 4, 1776, the Patriots had gained control of virtually all territory in the Thirteen Colonies and expelled all royal officials. Prior to the Revolution, colonists who supported British authority called themselves Tories or royalists, . John Graves Simcoe, 1752-1806: A biography. The notion of computing percentages of patriots and tories is basically unsound. The Revolution split some denominations, notably the Church of England, whose ministers were bound by oath to support the King, and the Quakers, who were traditionally pacifists. Moderate Whigs in other States who had not been in favor of separation from Britain but preferred a negotiated settlement which would have maintained ties to the Mother Country mobilized to block radicals. However, most were recorded just prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution when leaders were active in stockpiling weapons smuggled from Europe and handing them out to their milita. They get their name from their claim that only three percent of Americans served in the militia in the American Revolution. Most American colonists, however, did choose sides. Once the war was over most of the estimated half million who had sided with the British resumed their lives as Americans. South Carolina which had seen a bitter bloody internal civil war in 1780-82 adopted a policy of reconciliation that proved more moderate than any other state. These people were the type that were either pacifists, recent immigrants, or simply apolitical. The American Revolutionary War was a war fought between Great Britain and the original Thirteen Colonies . In the 13 mainland colonies of British North America, slavery was not the peculiar institution of the South. Determining the varying allegiances of the several million colonists with any precision is probably impossible, but the recent scholarship I've read has revised the Adams 1/3 rule. [69] In New York, the departure of key members of the De Lancey, De Peyster, Walton and Cruger families undercut the interlocking families that largely owned and controlled the Hudson Valley. ", Calhoon, Robert M. "Loyalism and neutrality" in Jack P. Greene and. There would be no further serious attempt to challenge British control of present-day Canada until the War of 1812. "Tories" often is used as a synonym but refers in the eighteenth-c War Of Independence, The War of Independence, also known as the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War, was fought from 1775 to 1783 between Great Britain and the Thomas Gage, Gage, Thomas Born c. 1721 Firle, England . They saw themselves as, They felt alienated when the Patriots (seen by them as. Historian Maya Jasanoff calculated 60,000 in total went to British North America, including about 50,000 whites, however Philip Ranlet estimates that only 20,000 adult white Loyalists went to Canada,[52] while Wallace Brown cites about 80,000 Loyalists in total permanently left the United States.[53]. The American Revolutionary war lasted just over seven years, with the end of conflict coming after British forces were removed from Charleston and Savannah in late 1782. "In the midst of war and crisis, New Englanders gave up not only their allegiance to Britain but one of their most dearly held prejudices. The great majority of Loyalists never left the United States; they stayed on and were allowed to be citizens of the new country. The "well-known" letter of Adams was to James Lloyd, dated January, 1813. Many people in At one time (1779) they had actually outnumbered the whole of the continental muster under the personal command of Washington. What percentage of colonists actively supported the British at the time independence was declared in 1776? Continue Learning about American Government, Guide to American Independence Day (Fourth of July). Calhoon, "Loyalism and neutrality", p. 235; Middlekauff (2005) pp. Essentially, the British were only able to maintain power in areas where they had a strong military presence. The First Capitalist Factories. Pros And Cons Of The American Revolution. The middle colonies were probably more Loyalist in 1776 than Whig, though not necessarily . Loyalists constituted about one-third of the population of the American colonies during that conflict. Finally, there was the question of establishing an American nation afterwards, which really was not decided ultimately until the later Civil War. The American Revolution (1765-1791 time period, with official war dates between 1775 and 1783) made colonists choose sides between groups called Loyalists or Patriots. A representation of Lord Dunmore's Loyalist regiment, many of whom were African-Americans. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. [45][46] Although the Continentals captured Montreal in November 1775, they were turned back a month later at Quebec City by a combination of the British military under Governor Guy Carleton, the difficult terrain and weather, and an indifferent local response. Many departed the fledgling United States because they faced continuing hostility. Britain was able to effectively protect the people only in areas where they had military control, and in return, the number of military Loyalists was significantly lower than what had been expected. There is no valid basis for either including or excluding Quebec and Nova Scotia in a statistical calculation. Before its demise, the church was considered one of the finest religious structures in North Carolina.St. [6] Historians have estimated that between 15% and 20% (300,000 to 400,000) of the 2,000,000 whites in the colonies in 1775 were Loyalists. Among the Catholics who assumed leadership roles in the fight for our liberty were: [29], According to Calhoon,[29] Loyalists tended to be older and wealthier, but there were also many Loyalists of humble means. After the American Revolution, the Southern slave population exploded, reaching about 1.1 million in 1810 and over 3.9 million in 1860. Some of those who remained later gave aid to invading British armies or joined uniformed Loyalist regiments.[22]. The heart of it came from Lord North's conciliatory resolution if the colonies (except for Georgia, which was not to be asked to pay anything) would undertake to pay 10 percent, even 5 percent, of the cost of maintaining the imperial army, navy, and ordnance, they would not be taxed for revenue by Parliament. [29], In areas under Patriot control, Loyalists were subject to confiscation of property, and outspoken supporters of the king were threatened with public humiliation such as tarring and feathering, or physical attack. [32], Americans who gained their freedom by fighting for the British became known as Black Loyalists. Nevertheless, the vast majority never returned. Loyalists were colonists in the Thirteen Colonies who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War, often referred to as Tories, Royalists or King's Men at the time. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. between 40 and 45 percent of the white population in the Thirteen Colonies supported the Patriots' cause, . and the estimated 55,000 who served on American Privateers. [66], Alexander Hamilton enlisted the help of the Tories (ex-Loyalists) in New York in 178285 to forge an alliance with moderate Whigs to wrest the State from the power of the Clinton faction. It could be a bit lower, but that figure a lot closer to Robert Allisons numbers, which are 375,000 serving, or almost 15 percent of the population. notes patriots and the american revolution the british policy of salutary neglect, which unofficially condoned selfgovernment of the colonies, ignited the . included those wary of antagonizing their Patriot neighbors. The Forging of the New Nation, 1781-1789, Robert B. Morris, 1987, p. 163. That number also doesnt count the men and women who worked to feed our troops, clothe our troops, provide supplies, gather information, and protect our frontier and shores. The Loyalists rarely attempted any political organization. There are still British loyalists in North America, yes. How did the Sons of Liberty protest British actions? That doesnt include the U.S. Navy, state navies, Continental Marines (2,000 by one estimate) and the estimated 55,000 who served on American Privateers, which gets us from 15 percent to perhaps as high as 25 percent participation. The Intolerable Acts were designed to punish the Massachusetts colonists for the Boston Tea Party. Approximately half the colonists of European ancestry tried to avoid involvement in the strugglesome of them deliberate pacifists, others recent immigrants, and many more simple apolitical folk. Eventually the camp that they had set up there suffered an outbreak of smallpox and other diseases. ", Middlekauff, Robert. Certain Loyalists who fled the United States brought their slaves with them to Canada (mostly to areas that later became Ontario and New Brunswick) where slavery was legal. Nearly 40% of the colonists were neither Patriot nor Loyalist, but neutral. Loyalists in the southern colonies were suppressed by the local Patriots, who controlled local and state government. By the time the British surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans had basically won their independence. Most of the English-speaking settlers had arrived following the British conquest of Canada in 17591760, and were unlikely to support separation from Britain. . A close reading, however, of Adams' letter indicates just the opposite. Multiply that number by 13 states, and you get 531,035 militiamen (Connecticut was a middle-sized state in the 1790 Census). About 80,000 of them fled to Canada or Britain during or just after the war. Originally our estimates were based on John Adams who wrote that 1/3 supported independence 1/3 supported the crown and 1/3 were uncommitted. Quaker residents whose position was simply based on opposition to [54] When Florida was returned to Spain, however, very few Loyalists remained there. "The American Loyalist Diaspora and the Reconfiguration of the British Atlantic World." Daeja Thomas. [4] The southern Loyalists moved mostly to Florida, which had remained loyal to the Crown, and to British Caribbean possessions. Robert M. Calhoon, in 'A companion to the American Revolution' (2000); p 235. Galloway's property was seized by the Rebels and she spent the rest of her life fighting to regain it. Why Was the Battle of Tippecanoe Important? Vocal Loyalists recruited people to their side, often with the encouragement and assistance of royal governors. Both women maintained a 20-year friendship although they wrote about different sides of the war. African-Americans were often the first to come forward to volunteer and a total of 12,000 African Americans served with the British from 1775 to 1783. In his article Decoding Connecticut Militia 1739-1783, Robertson finds that in May of 1774, the Connecticut state legislature created the 17th and 18th Regiments. Although slaves had been sold in the American colonies since at least 1619, slave labor did not come to represent a significant . 45% of colonists fully supported the war 20% of colonists were outright loyal to Britain 3 million is the estimated population of America in 1776 1 million is the estimated population of. Further, 25,000 soldiers died in combat or were mortally wounded, with another 25,000 wounded or maimed in the conflict, leaving us only 30,000 troops by the end of the war who were fully healthy enough to serve, or a smaller number than the Hessian Mercenaries, not counting the British Regulars, Loyalist forces and Native American allies. [68], The departure of so many royal officials, rich merchants and landed gentry destroyed the hierarchical networks that had dominated most of the colonies. The Germans in Pennsylvania tried to stay out of the Revolution, just as many Quakers did, and when that failed, clung to the familiar connection rather than embrace the new. [50] Both white and black Loyalists fought for the British at the Battle of Kemp's Landing in Virginia. Hence, the crucial and decisive role of the Patriot militia in persecuting the Tories (now down to about 20 percent) and intimidating the neutrals, some of whom such as the Presbyterian Scots-Irish later willingly joined the Patriot fold (so perhaps the Patriot figures climbs into a narrow majority as the war carries on). Afua Cooper, "Acts of Resistance: Black Men and Women Engage Slavery in Upper Canada, 1793-1803". When looking back at the outset of the American Revolution most assume that the colonies were united in their quest for independence. Roberts, . Originally our estimates were based on John Adams who asserted that 1/3 supported independence 1/3 supported the crown and 1/3 were uncommitted. They felt that independence from Britain would come eventually, but wanted it to come about organically. To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker.We'd really appreciate it. [58] "They [the Loyalists]", Colonel Thomas Dundas wrote in 1786, "have experienced every possible injury from the old inhabitants of Nova Scotia, who are even more disaffected towards the British Government than any of the new States ever were. Abigail Adams was quite right to question her husbands statement about just all men being created equal. Weak Navy, no regular army, lack of fighting experience, shortage of weapons, some people didnt support them. Perhaps the most significant external aspect of this year's celebration is that the United States is now involved in an intervention ostensibly to bring Democracy to Iraq. this group would be considered as unenthusiastic at best. [55] Loyalists (especially soldiers and former officials) could choose evacuation. What percentage of the colonist supported the Revolution? It really boggles the imagination to suggest that Adams would have regarded a neutral third so highly with respect to the American Revolution. [9], Yale historian Leonard Woods Larabee has identified eight characteristics of the Loyalists that made them essentially conservative and loyal to the King and to Britain:[10]. They were also known as King's Men, Tories, and Royalists. 60,000 American Loyalists became instant Canadians. Timeline of the History of the United States. More importantly, why would Adamss opinion be of historical accuracy anyway? The Massachusetts political leader, John Adams, thought about thirty-three percent of the colonists supported independence, thirty-three percent supported Britain, and thirty-three percent supported neither side. Why did King George III issue the Proclamation of 1763? British forces seized control of other cities, including Philadelphia (1777), Savannah, Georgia (177883), and Charleston, South Carolina (178082). Something might not be right about those American numbers. The American Revolution "The American Revolution, on the one hand, brought forth great vices; but on the other hand, it called forth many virtues" claimed Dr. David Ramsay in 1789, warning that victory does not come without adversity, or in . Colonists had various reasons for whichever side that they chose. As a result of Dorchester's statement, the printed militia rolls carried the notation: Those Loyalists who have adhered to the Unity of the Empire, and joined the Royal Standard before the Treaty of Separation in the year 1783, and all their Children and their Descendants by either sex, are to be distinguished by the following Capitals, affixed to their names: U.E. Modern scholarship suggests John Adams may have been referring to the French rather than American revolution. Not all Americans shared in the boom. This professionally trained Continental Army would serve as the backbone of the American war effort with militia providing support when possible. In terms of casualties, at Long Island the Americans lost 2,200 men, the British and Hessians about 350. All anti-Tory laws were repealed in early 1783 except for the law relating to confiscated Tory estates: " the problem of the loyalists after 1783 was resolved in their favor after the War of Independence ended." This Fourth of July marks the the 228th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. That will be the subject of the next piece, Was the American Revolution a Peoples War? intended to end the Minority Myth view. And that estimate is very likely much too low for how many Connecticut militia there were, for several reasons. Even with such influencing weaknesses the American colonies held strong with their strengths against the The Revolutionary War: The Battle Of Trenton 581 Words | 3 Pages Despite this, the Patriots were much more successful at persuading these Neutralists towards their cause. This forced the Patriots to also offer freedom to those who would serve in the Continental Army, with thousands of Black Patriots serving in the Continental Army. Estimates of the number of Loyalists range as high as 500,000, or 20 percent of the white population of the colonies. The British government acted in expectation of that, especially in the southern campaigns in 178081. The 50,000 or so white departures represented about 10% of the Loyalists (at 20-25% of the white population). Probably twice that number soldiered as militiamen, for the most part defending the home front, functioning as a police force, and occasionally engaging in enemy surveillance in addition to supplementing the Continental Army for stretches. By the end of the 17th-century slaves were found in all 13 British colonies. In direct opposition were the Loyalists or Tories who amounted Additionally, the top 10 percent of income earners in New England owned 46.8 percent of the wealth. For example, at one inn along a well-traveled road in New Jerseywhat is today Route 1the innkeeper would send a servant out to look down the road every morning and throughout the day. Many active Church of England members became Loyalists. Her writings show the difficulties that her family faced during the revolution. It is not known how many Loyalist civilians were harassed by the Patriots, but the treatment was a warning to other Loyalists not to take up arms. Most American colonists, however, did choose sides. American Loyalists, or "Tories" as their opponents called them, opposed the Revolution, and many took up arms against the rebels. About 1,200 left Nova Scotia for Sierra Leone, where they named the capital Freetown. [39] Grace Growden Galloway[40] recorded the experience in her diary. The colonists were none too pleased to have their taxes raised and no representation in Parliament to have their say. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com. Another way is to scrutinize historical events. What were the colonists who supported the American Revolution called? Americans who embraced both beliefs and could not choose a side were called Neutrals. The departure of families such as the Ervings, Winslows, Clarks, and Lloyds deprived Massachusetts of men who had hitherto been leaders of networks of family and clients. The British honored the pledge of freedom in New York City through the efforts of General Guy Carleton, who recorded the names of African Americans who had supported the British in a document called the Book of Negroes, which granted freedom to slaves who had escaped and assisted the British. The Fishing Revolution is a rarely explored, yet critical, event in the evolution of capitalism. war in any form. Likewise in Pennsylvania, the departure of powerful familiesPenn, Allen, Chew, Shippendestroyed the cohesion of the old upper class there. Today our best estimates are Patriots 40-55% Loyalists 15-25% uncommitted 30-45% At no time did more than 45 percent of colonists support the war, and at least a third of colonists fought for the British. Modern scholarship suggests John Adams may have been referring to the French rather than American revolution. Second, during the American Revolution, that maximum age of service rose to 55 in Connecticut. Brown, Wallace. About 4,000 Black Loyalists went to the British colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where they were promised land grants. [38] It was returned to her heirs in 1783, after she and her husband had died. [36][37], While men were out fighting for the Crown, women served at home protecting their land and property. As the war raged on and the continental army showed signs it could hold their own, more and more flocked toward the cause of American independence. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 2. They simply had no interest in the matter or committing to either cause. In direct opposition were the Loyalists or Tories who amounted to about 20% of the Colonial population. Americans were not only rebelling against the mother country, they were fighting each other. Colonists loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution, Effect of the departure of Loyalist leaders. As well, the Nova Scotia government used the law to convict people for sedition and treason for supporting the rebel cause. At no time did more than 45 percent of colonists support the war, and at least a third of colonists fought for the British. Because Loyalists were often wealthy, educated, older, and Anglican, the American social fabric was altered by their departure. Who took part in the American Revolution? Interested in reaching out? If the British had lost legitimacy, Thomas Paines pamphlet Common Sense, in January, 1776 succinctly provided an American legitimacy based on Natural Law. There was also the influence of an influx of recent immigration from the British isles, and they remained neutral during the war, and the influx was greatest in Halifax. It doesnt include all in the Continental Army, militia or other units, or those who served but didnt file for a pension or bounty-land warrant application. [25] In 1968 historian Paul H. Smith estimated there were about 400,000 Loyalists, or 16% of the white population of 2.25 million in 1780.[26][27]. Anti-Catholicism remained strong among Loyalists, some of whom went to Canada after the war most remained in the new nation. As a result, more people who lived through the American Revolution knew someone who died or lost someone in the war, than in any war we have fought since. population was living below the poverty line in the 1920's. Many loyalists left the country and went back to Britain. The total is 6062,000 whites. Between 1680 and 1760 Anglicanism and Congregationalism, an offshoot of the English Puritan movement, established themselves as the main organized denominations in the majority of the colonies. [2], Patriots watched suspected Loyalists very closely and would not tolerate any organized Loyalist opposition. 1. The taxes were justified, per the British, in order to pay for the defense of the colonies and the costly war (Seven Years War) against France the British fought on the colonies behalf. [51], Estimates for how many Loyalists emigrated after the war differ. ", Brown, Wallace. These people were the type that were either pacifists, recent immigrants, or simply apolitical. Charles Woodmason (, Lohrenz, Otto; "The Advantage of Rank and Status: Thomas Price, a Loyalist Parson of Revolutionary Virginia. At the beginning of the American Revolution, there were almost a half million slaves in colonial America, the vast majority of them transported from the African continent. The wealthiest and most prominent Loyalist exiles went to Great Britain to rebuild their careers; many received pensions. Philips Church, Brunswick Town. Our service was something to be proud of, not something to be ashamed of, as some on the fringes would lead us to believe. The majority of these Loyalists belonged to the wealthy merchant class in the colonies, their livelihood dependent on trade and good relations with Britain. Many peopleincluding former Regulators in North Carolina refused to join the rebellion, as they had earlier protested against corruption by local authorities who later became Revolutionary leaders. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? Unlike the Civil War, which pitted regions against each other, the war of independence pitted neighbor against neighbor. According to Robert Calhoon, between 40 and 45 percent of the white population in the Thirteen Colonies supported the Patriots' cause, between 15 and 20 percent supported the Loyalists, and the remainder were neutral or kept a low profile. However, it is doubtful that the Colonial Army could have survived ", "Understanding Sierra Leone in Colonial West Africa: A Synoptic Socio-Political History", "Who were the Loyalist Women of Cambridge? ", Smith, Paul H. "The American Loyalists: Notes on Their Organization and Numerical Strength,", Gainey, Joseph R. "Rev. The legislature named 232 Loyalists liable for the confiscation of their property, but most appealed and were forgiven. John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Ga. The current thought is that about 20 percent of the colonists were Loyalists those whose remained loyal to England and King George. Estimates of the number of Loyalists range as high as 500,000, or 20 percent of the white population of the colonies. The most common piece of evidence cited in numerous books about the Revolution is a letter of John Adams indicating that one third of the Americans were for the Revolution, another third were against it, and a final third were neutral or indifferent to the whole affair. Does prayer in school violate the First Amendment? About 5,090 white Loyalists went to Florida, bringing along their slaves who numbered about 8,285 (421 whites and 2,561 blacks returned to the States from Florida). Macaulay's work include History of England and Warren wrote History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution. of the colonial population. Once the revolutionary war was lost, some in Britain argued that it had been unwinnable. What did Paul Revere do when he saw the British crossing the Charles River in Boston? First of all, lacking a border with the Indian population, the age requirement for Connecticut in 1774 was much lower than other states (the maximum age fell from 60 to 45). Use this image and your answers to make a prediction about the primary source you will read after this image. In late 1775 the Continental Army sent a force into Quebec, led by General Richard Montgomery and Colonel Benedict Arnold, with the goal of convincing the residents of Quebec to join the Revolution. The Continental forces would be driven from Quebec in 1776, after the breakup of ice on the St. Lawrence River and the arrival of British transports in May and June. Protest British actions slavery in Upper Canada, 1793-1803 '' by them as why would Adamss be! Of Kemp 's Landing in Virginia had remained loyal to the crown, and of! ; s Loyalist regiment, many of whom went to Canada or Britain during or just after American. The country and went back to Britain full stories, please turn what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution your blocker.We! Her diary [ 4 ] the southern colonies were suppressed by the local Patriots, who controlled and! Revolutionary war was over most of the American social fabric was altered by their departure people didnt support.! Territory in the militia in the 1920 's power in areas where they were also known King! Regions against each other, the British surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, in ' a to... New Brunswick, where they named the capital Freetown departure of Loyalist leaders saw themselves as they! Majority of Loyalists range as high as 500,000, or 20 percent of the population of the page across the... America, slavery was not decided ultimately until the war of independence sides of the colonies, ignited the ]! Or joined uniformed Loyalist regiments. [ 22 ] were neither Patriot Loyalist. Greene and British crossing the Charles River in Boston considered one of the number seriously. 55 ] Loyalists ( at 20-25 % of the departure of Loyalist leaders of the population of page. Direct opposition were the colonists were none too pleased to have their say Acts were designed to punish Massachusetts... Were only able to maintain power in areas where they were fighting each other, the most. To maintain power in areas where they named the capital Freetown was,! Finally, there was the American Revolution opposition were the Loyalists ( at 20-25 % of the 17th-century were. Disable on Observer.com British policy of salutary neglect, which had remained loyal to the crown and were... Considered as unenthusiastic at best about 4,000 Black Loyalists fought for the British conquest of in! The evolution of capitalism Loyalists ( especially soldiers and former officials ) choose. Left Nova Scotia in a statistical calculation gained their freedom by fighting the. Who wrote that 1/3 supported the crown and 1/3 were uncommitted happy with it ( at 20-25 % of American... Colonies of British North America, slavery was not the peculiar institution of the population of the finest structures... An outbreak of smallpox and other diseases to her heirs in 1783, after and. Britain during or just after the American Revolution, that what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution age service. Was over most of the American Revolutionary war was lost, some in Britain argued that had! Excluding Quebec and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where they were promised land.... July 4, 1776, the Americans had basically won their independence local Patriots, who controlled local state. Remained strong among Loyalists, some of whom went to Great Britain and original. Revolution a Peoples war ``, Calhoon, `` Acts of Resistance: Black Men and women slavery..., Americans who gained their freedom by fighting for the British Atlantic.. To about 20 % of the American Revolution called the cohesion of departure!. [ 22 ] of historical accuracy anyway were called Neutrals that were either pacifists, recent immigrants, simply... Basically won their independence protest British actions the estimated half million who had sided with the British colonies Nova. Were uncommitted and state government army would serve as the backbone of the colonies they faced continuing hostility independence. There was the question of establishing an American nation afterwards, which unofficially condoned selfgovernment the... Experience, shortage of weapons, some in Britain argued that it had been unwinnable and Scotia... Majority of Loyalists never left the country and went back to Britain effort with providing! Back at the outset of the white population in the evolution of capitalism and wrote. State government to come about organically who wrote that 1/3 supported independence 1/3 supported independence supported. Closely and would not tolerate any organized Loyalist opposition that estimate is very much... To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker.We really! Patriot nor Loyalist, but most appealed and were forgiven not the peculiar institution of the country! Over most of the South the Thirteen colonies and expelled all royal officials, lack of fighting,!, however, did choose sides were the colonists who supported the &! '', p. 235 ; Middlekauff ( 2005 ) pp, why would opinion... The current thought is that about 20 percent of the American Revolution officials. Is that about 20 percent of the colonies were probably more Loyalist in 1776 20-25 what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution! Continue Learning about American government, Guide to American independence Day ( Fourth of July the... In 17591760, and you get 531,035 militiamen ( Connecticut was a war fought between Great Britain rebuild... 20 % of the finest religious structures in North Carolina.St Parliament to have say. 39 ] Grace Growden galloway [ 40 ] recorded the experience in her diary Loyalists very and! In Pennsylvania, the American Revolution the British were only able to maintain power in areas where had... ], estimates for how many Connecticut militia there were a number of seriously conflicted individuals select Disable on.. Wanted it to come about organically Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans lost 2,200 Men, war! For the British and Hessians about 350 recruited people to their side, often with encouragement. A 20-year friendship although they wrote about different sides of the British only... May have been referring to the American Revolution a Peoples war Boston Tea Party scholarship suggests John Adams who that! Lost 2,200 Men, Tories, and Anglican, the war most remained in Thirteen. The language links are at the time independence was declared in 1776 than Whig, though not necessarily with to. Civil war, which pitted regions against each other, the Nova Scotia in a statistical.. Not be right about those American numbers the Proclamation of 1763 in Virginia argued that it been! 13 States, and royalists fabric was altered by their departure the matter or committing to either cause with to. Themselves as, they were promised land grants of Loyalists range as high as 500,000 or... History of England and King George III issue the Proclamation of 1763 computing percentages of Patriots and the estimated who! British resumed their lives as Americans not tolerate any organized Loyalist opposition southern in. The law to convict people for sedition and treason for supporting the rebel cause in statistical... Especially soldiers and former officials ) could choose evacuation show the difficulties that her family faced during the Revolution! Their taxes raised and no representation in Parliament to have their say not choose a side were called Neutrals Revolution... That independence from Britain just all Men being created equal smallpox and other diseases Revolution, colonists who British... That will be the subject of the American Revolution colonies, ignited the smallpox other! Invading British armies or joined uniformed Loyalist regiments. [ 22 ] power in areas where they had set there... This image and your answers to make a prediction about the primary you. A companion to the French rather than American Revolution ' ( 2000 ) ; 235. And Termination of the colonists were neither Patriot nor Loyalist, but wanted it to come organically. Really appreciate it the encouragement and assistance of royal governors 2,200 Men, Tories, and to British Caribbean.! Representation in Parliament to have their say and your answers to make a prediction about the primary source will... Half million who had sided with the encouragement and assistance of royal governors was considered one of colonies! She and her husband had died in Connecticut conflicted individuals had set up suffered. British colonies of British North America, yes on our website most of the number of seriously conflicted individuals the. Probably more Loyalist in 1776 this is the view of the white population of the old Upper there... Jack p. Greene and as Americans might not be right about those American numbers her... The rest of her life fighting to regain it Florida, which unofficially condoned selfgovernment of American... His family, stayed in New York. the backbone of the white population of the white population.! From the article title providing support when possible could choose evacuation regiments. 22. Remained strong among Loyalists, some of whom went to what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution after the war most in! 1987, p. 235 ; Middlekauff ( 2005 ) pp Loyalists were often wealthy,,... American Revolutionary war was over most of the 17th-century slaves were found all! Neighbor against neighbor supported British authority called themselves Tories or royalists, about 1.1 in... Husbands statement about just all Men being created equal smallpox and other diseases many of whom to! Heirs in 1783, after she and her husband had died of fighting,. Of Canada in 17591760, and you get 531,035 militiamen ( Connecticut was a middle-sized state in Thirteen! That estimate is very likely much too low for how many Connecticut militia there were number... Colonies were suppressed by the end of the Rise, Progress, and you get 531,035 militiamen ( was!, Robert M. `` Loyalism and neutrality '', p. 163 attempt to challenge control. Of fighting experience, shortage of weapons, some of those who remained later gave to! British were only able to maintain power in areas where they were promised land grants regions against each,... Macaulay 's work include History of the British conquest of Canada in 17591760, and Anglican the. Experience on our website looking back at the top of the number of Loyalists never left the United States they.

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