Loyalists in the Colonies

Loyalists were subjected to all sorts of violent and degrading treatments. One of the more inhumane methods of persecution was called "tar and feathering." For example, a mob of Republicans would catch someone suspected of being loyal to King George III, strip them naked, apply hot tar to their skin, and then mash feathers into the black hot sticky substance. Once the tar cooled, the person would be left scarred and feathers would remain embedded in the victim's skin essentially for the remainder of their life.

Loyalists in the ColoniesIn addition to being turned into human chickens, United Empire Loyalists could also expect to receive beatings or to be lynched upon “Liberty Trees" With mobs running about the countryside looking for Loyalists to punish, the rule of law completely broke down. In the wake of the violence, 100,000 Loyalists left the Thirteen Colonies for the relative safety of England, Quebec, or Nova Scotia.

This was the largest mass migration of people in the history of North America

Loyalists in the ColoniesIn addition to being turned into human chickens, United Empire Loyalists could also expect to receive beatings or to be lynched upon “Liberty Trees" With mobs running about the countryside looking for Loyalists to punish, the rule of law completely broke down. In the wake of the violence, 100,000 Loyalists left the Thirteen Colonies for the relative safety of England, Quebec, or Nova Scotia.

This was the largest mass migration of people in the history of North America

The United Empire Loyalists

British North America & The Aftermath of the American Revolution

Who were the Loyalists?§50 000 came to remaining British colonies during/after the American Revolution§Very diverse group -white, African, native§Varied backgrounds -wealthy/ poor, business/ agriculture, urban/rural§various political beliefs, from strong monarchists to supporters of the "rights of Englishmen"

Who were the Loyalists?§Common bond: decision to remain loyal to Britain during/ after American Revolution

§Common experience: persecuted, jailed, property confiscated during revolution

§Common sense of identity and a feeling that Britain owed them something because of their suffering and sacrifice

Who were the Loyalists?§50 000 took shelter in New York as revolution ends

§Most travel north to the remaining British colonies

The Loyalist arrival: New Brunswick

§1783: 15 000 Loyalists settle along St. John River§Lacked supplies during first winter (hardship, pioneer wilderness)§1784: Britain creates colony of New Brunswick, with separate colonial government & capital at Fredericton§Fledgeling "loyalist" colony gradually carved out of wilderness

The Loyalist arrival: Nova Scotia§20 000 Loyalists enhance an equal number of Acadian, English & German settlers§Major settlement: Port Roseway(Shelburne) - 10 000 Loyalists§Poor soil forced most to move elsewhere§3000 Black Loyalists settle throughout Nova Scotia§1792: one-half leave for SierreLeone (Africa)§Remaining Black Loyalists provide basis of Nova Scotia's present day African Canadian population

The Loyalist arrival: Nova Scotia

§Sierra Leone…

The Loyalist arrival: Nova Scotia§Northeastern Nova Scotia also settled by Loyalists§Guysborough founded by Loyalist pioneers§Dorchester (Antigonish) settled by Loyalist regiment led by Colonel Timothy Hierlihy§Black Loyalist settlements created at Lincolnville, Sunnyville & Upper Big Tracadie

The Loyalist arrival: Quebec§Most Loyalists travelled overland from neighboring New York during American Revolution§Settled south and west of Montreal, separate from French Catholic population§Others settled along northern shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Peninsula§10 000 arrived by 1783§Native Loyalists among immigrants, particularly Joseph Brant and the Mohawk (Brantford)§Other Six Nations (Iroquois) tribes move north into Quebec

The Loyalist arrival: Quebec

§1791: British Parliament passes Constitutional Act, creating separate colonies of Upper (English Loyalist) & Lower (French Catholic) Canada§Excellent farmland in Upper Canada - great potential for agriculture (wheat) and export via St. Lawrence River§Most Loyalists were pioneer settlers used to wilderness conditions of colony

Constitutional Act 1791 Effect

The British brought with them their English culture. They also brought the Protestant religion and set up the Anglican Church.

The major change occurred with the Constitutional Act of 1791 which split Quebec into Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) each with its own elected assembly.

Loyalist Settlement in CanadaAll Classes

§Thinking it Through Text

§Pp.46-49

§Questions: 1-8…12, 15

Loyalist Settlement in CanadaBlock H

The Loyalist Legacy§A) Transformation of British North America§Creation of new colonies: New Brunswick (1784), Upper & Lower Canada (1791)§First large English immigration to British North America§ Reinforced British system of government, land distribution, and culture (not French or American)

The Loyalist Legacy§B) Reinforced and personalized Canada's complex relationships with Britain and the United States§Loyalists preferred British institutions and imperial ties

§Linked by family ties, historical roots, and geography to the United States

§Loyalists also determined to assert their political rights (just like their American relatives)

The Loyalist Legacy§C) Beginning of Loyalist tradition in Canada§Loyalty to British Empire forms basis of political beliefs§Loyalism linked to strong conservatism in politics and society