Colonists Choose Sides
Colonists Choose Sides examines the deep divisions within colonial society as the Revolutionary War approached—a nuanced topic in 8th grade U.S. history. Not all colonists supported independence: historians estimate that Patriots who actively supported independence made up about 40% of the population, Loyalists who remained loyal to Britain about 20%, and neutrals about 40%. Loyalists tended to be wealthier, had ties to British government and trade, or belonged to minority religious communities protected by British law. Patriots tended to be middle-class tradespeople, farmers, and merchants who resented British taxation. Understanding these divisions shows the Revolution was also a civil war.
Key Concepts
As tensions with Great Britain grew, American colonists faced a difficult choice about their future. This question divided them into three main groups.
Some colonists, called Patriots, believed it was time to fight for independence . Others, known as Loyalists, wanted to remain loyal to the British king. A large group of people remained neutral , choosing not to take a side in the growing conflict.
Common Questions
Were all colonists in favor of the American Revolution?
No—historians estimate roughly 40% of colonists were Patriots who actively supported independence, 20% were Loyalists who remained loyal to Britain, and 40% were neutral or tried to avoid the conflict. The Revolution was as much a civil war as a war against Britain, with colonial communities divided between Patriots and Loyalists.
Who were the Loyalists and why did they oppose independence?
Loyalists (also called Tories) remained loyal to the British Crown. They tended to be wealthier, have ties to British government or trade, belong to religious communities protected by British law (like Anglicans in some colonies), or fear that independence would bring social chaos. Many Loyalists were harassed, had their property seized, and eventually fled to Canada or Britain.
Why did Patriots support independence?
Patriots were primarily motivated by opposition to British taxation without representation, restrictions on colonial trade, and the threat to colonial self-government. Most were middle-class—artisans, merchants, farmers—who believed their economic opportunities and political rights were being suppressed by British imperial policies.
What happened to Loyalists during and after the Revolution?
Loyalists faced severe treatment from Patriots: harassment, tarring and feathering, property confiscation, and exile. During the war, about 19,000 Loyalists served in the British military. After the Revolution, approximately 80,000 Loyalists fled to Canada, Britain, or the Caribbean, one of the largest refugee movements of the era.
What role did Native Americans play in choosing sides?
Most Native American nations allied with Britain, believing British policies (like the Proclamation of 1763) offered more protection against colonial expansion onto their lands than an independent American republic would. The Iroquois Confederacy split, with most nations supporting the British and some (Oneida and Tuscarora) supporting the Patriots—a civil war within the Iroquois world.
When do 8th graders study colonists choosing sides?
The division among colonists is covered in 8th grade history in the Colonial Era and Road to Revolution unit, adding complexity to the simple narrative of a united colonial resistance and helping students understand the Revolution's true nature as a civil conflict.