The story of the black Loyalists is outlined, with references, later in this article. (Other African-Americans fought on the Patriot side, for the same motive). They fought for the British not out of loyalty to the Crown, but from a desire for freedom, which the British promised them in return for their military service. Loyalists were most often people who were conservative by nature or in politics, valued order, were fearful of 'mob' rule, felt sentimental ties to the Mother Country, were loyal to the King or concerned that an independent new nation would not be able to defend themselves. Many people with close business connections to Britain who lived in coastal towns remained loyal. Thus they included many Anglicans (Episcopalians) in the North East, many tenant farmers in New York and people of Dutch origin in New York and New Jersey, many of the German population of Pennsylvania, some Quakers, most of the Highland Scots in the South, and many Iroquois Indians. The Loyalists were as socially diverse as their Patriot opponents but some groups produced more Loyalists. This would be about sixteen percent of the total population or about 20 percent of Americans of European origin. An American historian has estimated that about 450,000 Americans remained loyal to Britain during the Revolution. The number of Americans who adhered to the British side after fighting commenced is still debated. This article is an overview of some of the prominent Loyalist military units of the Revolution, and of the fighting they did for the British Crown. For a detailed analysis of the psychology and social origins of the Loyalists, see Loyalist (American Revolution). George Washington's winning side in the war called themselves " Patriots", and in this article Americans on the revolutionary side are called Patriots. Engraving of the American Revolutionary War, depicting the death of British Major Patrick Ferguson, being shot from his horse on October 7, 1780, as he commanded Loyalist regulars and militia at the Battle of Kings Mountain, a Patriot military victory.Ĭolonists who supported the British cause in the American Revolution were Loyalists, often called Tories, or, occasionally, Royalists or King's Men.
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