The Loyalists opposed the Revolution for a number of reasons. Some believed that the British government had the right to ask the colonies to pay half the cost of their own defence. When the colonies refused to do so through their elected assemblies, some Loyalists thought the British Parliament had a right to tax them, even if the colonies had no direct representation in that Parliament. Other Loyalists opposed parliamentary taxation, but did not consider violent opposition justified. Even if they had some sympathy with the revolutionaries, they often became Loyalists out of outrage at the excesses of the "rebels" and the persecutions they suffered for refusing to actively support the rebellion. Many simply supported the existing government, or held public office under it. Still others, like the black slaves living on plantations belonging to Patriots, responded to the invitation of the government to win their freedom by taking up arms against the Revolution. The First Nations, particularly the Mohawks, as allies of the Crown, felt the need of British protection.

Next Chapter ->