The American Revolution: Loyalists Vs. Patriots

633 Words2 Pages

The American Revolution: Loyalist vs. Patriots Despite its hardship, killing, and divisions between the colonist, The American Revolution is best known as the turning point of the colonies. Such an event that would change the world, but that is better said than done. Once the word came out about independence and fighting back the redcoats some coloinst were not up for it, these were called Loyalist. Those who were up to fight back were known as Patriots. The Loyalist and Patriots both have reasons why they think they are right in their principle. Firstly the Loyalist were fearful of going against the supreme power of Great Britain because they were so outranked and outgunned by Great Britain. I get this impression from a document that a Loyalist …show more content…

Over the years Britain has pushed the colonist to the max for instance they would enforce taxation without representation because they had the power to, and they would also be taking freedom from them to show power. An individual named Thomas Paine spoke out directly about this in his "Crisis" document "Britain, with army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that matter, is not slavery then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth" (Paine). Another great Patriot is Patrick Henry with his most famous words "Give me Liberty or Give Me Death". Patrick Henry basically said "enough is enough we will fight back no matter what happens" in his "Give me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. He talked about how war was inevitable so let it come. He mock Loyalist who cried, peace, peace because he knew that there was no peace with Great Britain. He mocks the loyalist in this quote " Gentlemen cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace."(Henry). He also states about war cannot be avoidable and he wants it to come,"The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come."

Open Document