Loyalist (American Revolution)

Quick Facts: Who was Loyalist (American Revolution)?

Subject:

Loyalist (American Revolution)

Known for:

Colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Loyalists (also referred to as Tories, Royalists, or King's Men) were colonists in the Thirteen Colonies of British America who remained loyal to the British crown. Historians have estimated that between 15% and 33% of the population of the colonies were Loyalists. A 2000 researcher suggested between 15% and 20% (300,000 to 400,000) of the 2,000,000 whites in the colonies in 1775 were Loyalists, while approximately half the population avoided involvement and Patriots composed only 40 to 45 percent. The revolutionaries labelled themselves "Patriots" and portrayed Loyalists as "persons inimical to the liberties of America." Self-appointed Patriot committees of correspondence, inspection and safety published lists of suspected Loyalists and, in campaigns of terror, Patriots demonized, harassed, intimidated, burnt-out, dispossessed, raped and murdered those they claimed to be Loyalists to suppress opposition, sometimes based on little more than personal grudges or against business competitors. The term Loyalist was coined in 1774 when political tensions rose before the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783).

Career & Major Achievements

Those supporting the revolution self-identified as Patriots or Whigs. Prominent Loyalists repeatedly assured the British government that many thousands of them would spring to arms and fight for the Crown. The British government acted in expectation of that, especially during the Southern campaigns of 1780 and 1781. However, Britain was able to protect the people only in areas where they had military control. Thus, the number of military Loyalists was significantly lower than what had been expected.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Loyalist troops were often viewed with suspicion by British officers, who did not know whom they could fully trust in such a conflicted situation. Patriots watched suspected Loyalists very closely and would not tolerate organized Loyalist opposition. Many outspoken or militarily active Loyalists were forced to flee, especially to their stronghold of New York City. William Franklin, the colonial governor of New Jersey and son of Patriot leader Benjamin Franklin, became the leader of the Loyalists after his release from a Patriot prison in 1778. He worked to build Loyalist military units to fight in the war.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1774: 1774 Milestone — The term Loyalist was coined in 1774 when political tensions rose before the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783).
2. 1778: 1778 Milestone — William Franklin, the colonial governor of New Jersey and son of Patriot leader Benjamin Franklin, became the leader of the Loyalists after his release from a Patriot prison in 1778.
3. 1780: 1780 Milestone — The British government acted in expectation of that, especially during the Southern campaigns of 1780 and 1781.
4. 2000: 2000 Milestone — A 2000 researcher suggested between 15% and 20% (300,000 to 400,000) of the 2,000,000 whites in the colonies in 1775 were Loyalists, while approximately half the population avoided involvement and Patriots composed only 40 to 45 percent.

Notable Quotes by Loyalist (American Revolution)

“There may be a time when redress may not be obtained. Till then, I shall recommend a legal, orderly, and prudent resentment”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Loyalist (American Revolution)

True or False: “All Loyalists were wealthy landowners who feared the radical changes brought by the Patriot movement.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Loyalist motives were varied; some groups included those with business links to Britain, while others were motivated by a desire for stable legal order rather than just wealth.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. D. Hope — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Australian poet and essayist celebrated for his satirical wit and academic career.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• André-Marie Ampère — Historical peer (Born in 1775) (1775): Founder of classical electromagnetism; inventor of the solenoid and electrical telegraph.
• Bahadur Shah Zafar — Historical peer (Born in 1775) (1775): The last Mughal Emperor of India and renowned Urdu poet.
• Caspar David Friedrich — Historical peer (Born in 1774) (1774): Pioneering German Romantic landscape painter known for sublime, spiritual depictions of nature.
• Charles Bell — Historical peer (Born in 1774) (1774): Pioneering Scottish surgeon and anatomist, known for nerve physiology discoveries.
• Adam František Kollár — Historical peer (Died in 1783) (1783): Pioneering Slovak jurist, historian, and coiner of the term ethnology.
• Agustín de Iturbide — Historical peer (Born in 1783) (1783): Mexican military officer and politician who became the first Emperor of Mexico.
• Bernardino Rivadavia — Historical peer (Born in 1780) (1780): Key Argentine statesman and the first President of the United Provinces.
• Carl von Clausewitz — Historical peer (Born in 1780) (1780): Prussian military theorist whose work, On War, shaped modern strategic thought.

Frequently Asked Questions about Loyalist (American Revolution)