Loyalists & Patriots

Objective:
Compare motivations for loyalty to the king (Loyalists) or to the colony (Patriots)

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The image to the right illustrates the “tar and feathering” of a tax collector in the colonies. This was a common threat and punishment to British tax collectors in which hot tar was applied to the skin and then they were covered in feathers. These tax collectors and loyalists were often being tarred and feathered by American patriots.

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​Tar & Feathering

Loyalists and Patriots

The Revolutionary War split the people of the American colonies into two groups:

1. The loyalists

2. The Patriots

Who were Patriots?

Patriots were people who wanted the American colonies to gain their independence from Britain. They wanted their own country called the United States.

Why did people become
Patriots?

People in the Americas felt they weren't being treated fairly by the British. They were being taxed without any say or representation in the British government. The patriots wanted freedom from British rule.

Famous Patriots

There were many famous patriots. Some of them became presidents such as Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence and John Adams. One of the most famous patriot was George Washington who led the Continental Army and later became the first President of the United States. Other famous patriots included Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, Ethan Allen, Patrick Henry, and Ben Franklin. These people are often called the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Who were Loyalists?

Loyalists were people who wanted to stay a part of Britain and remain Britain citizens.

Why did people become
Loyalists?

Many people thought things would be better if the colonies remained under British rule. Some were simply afraid to go up against the British army. Others had business interests in Great Britain and knew that British trade was important to the economy.

Famous Loyalists

Since the loyalists lost the war, there aren't as many famous loyalists as there are patriots. Famous Loyalists are Benedict Arnold, Joseph Galloway Thomas Hutchinson (governor of Massachusetts colony), Andrew Allen, John Butler (leader of the loyalists troops Butler's Rangers), and David Mathews (mayor of New York City).

Interesting Facts

• Other names: Tories, Royalists, and the King's Friends.

• Many loyalists lived in New York City. It was known as the Tory capital of America.

Loyalists

• Other names: Sons of Liberty, Rebels, Whigs, and Colonials.

• Patriot towns created juries of men called "committees of safety".

• Members of the Sons of Liberty wore a medal with a picture of a tree on it.

Patriots

​Not everyone picked a side. Many people tried to remain neutral to avoid conflict/war