what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution

In 1787 the last of any discriminatory laws were rescinded. All anti-Tory laws were repealed in early 1783 except for the law relating to confiscated Tory estates: " the problem of the loyalists after 1783 was resolved in their favor after the War of Independence ended." Source: A Companion to the American Revolution, Your email address will not be published. At the time, the loyalties among the colonists were divided. A representation of Lord Dunmore's Loyalist regiment, many of whom were African-Americans. Americans who elected not to choose a side were called Neutrals. However, some women showed their loyalty to the crown by continually purchasing British goods, writing it down, and showing resistance to the Patriots. 563564; Thomas B. Allen, See also N. E. H. Hull, Peter C. Hoffer and Steven L. Allen, "Choosing Sides: A Quantitative Study of the Personality Determinants of Loyalist and Revolutionary Political Affiliation in New York,", Edwin G. Burrows and Michael Wallace, "The American Revolution: The Ideology and Psychology of National Liberation,". At no time did more than 45 percent of colonists support the war, and at . Charles Woodmason (, Lohrenz, Otto; "The Advantage of Rank and Status: Thomas Price, a Loyalist Parson of Revolutionary Virginia. The British forces at the Battle of Monck's Corner and the Battle of Lenud's Ferry consisted entirely of Loyalists with the exception of the commanding officer (Banastre Tarleton). English leaders appeared to believe that only a minority of rebellious Americans, although well organized, desired independence from the Mother Country. The Revolution split some denominations, notably the Church of England, whose ministers were bound by oath to support the King, and the Quakers, who were traditionally pacifists. Loyalist refugees, later called United Empire Loyalists, began leaving at the end of the war whenever transport was available, at considerable loss of property and transfer of wealth. The Loyalists rarely attempted any political organization. What disadvantages did the Patriots face in fighting the British? Simcoe desired to demonstrate the merits of loyalism and abolitionism in Upper Canada in contrast to the nascent republicanism and prominence of slavery in the United States, and, according to historian Stanley R. Mealing: However the actual law was a compromise. But talk and paper are cheap, and a long and bloody struggle lay ahead. They were older, better established, and resisted radical change. Ranlet, Philip (2014) "How Many American Loyalists Left the United States?. Nearly 40% of the colonists were neither Patriot nor Loyalist, but neutral. Although some Canadians took up arms in support of the rebellion, the majority remained loyal to the King. After the American Revolution, the Southern slave population exploded, reaching about 1.1 million in 1810 and over 3.9 million in 1860. and the estimated 55,000 who served on American Privateers. They simply had no interest in the matter or committing to either cause. John K. Robertson looks at this very issue of militia size in the Journal of the American Revolution in 2016. British forces seized control of other cities, including Philadelphia (1777), Savannah, Georgia (177883), and Charleston, South Carolina (178082). No one who openly proclaimed their loyalty to the Crown was allowed to remain, so Loyalists fled or kept quiet. At no time did more than 45 percent of colonists support the war, and at least a third of colonists fought for the British. Loyalist, also called Tory, colonist loyal to Great Britain during the American Revolution. The wealthiest and most prominent Loyalist exiles went to Great Britain to rebuild their careers; many received pensions. "The American Loyalist Diaspora and the Reconfiguration of the British Atlantic World." It could be a bit lower, but that figure a lot closer to Robert Allisons numbers, which are 375,000 serving, or almost 15 percent of the population. Some women involved in political activity include Catharine Macaulay (a loyalist) and Mercy Otis Warren who were both writers during this time. [31], As a result of the looming crisis in 1775, the Royal Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, issued a proclamation that promised freedom to indentured servants and slaves who were able to bear arms and join his Loyalist Ethiopian Regiment. The American Revolution was not simply a series of impersonal events. The remains of their regiment were then involved in the evacuation of Norfolk, after which they served in the Chesapeake area. 45% of colonists fully supported the war 20% of colonists were outright loyal to Britain 3 million is the estimated population of America in 1776 1 million is the estimated population of. They felt a need for order and believed that Parliament was the legitimate authority. Quaker residents whose position was simply based on opposition to Another way is to scrutinize historical events. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. North Carolina back country Scots and former Regulators joined forces in early 1776, but they were broken as a force at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. In reality, Britain might well have won the war. 40 to 45 percent of colonists were Patriots, colonists who supported the Revolutionary War. [citation needed]. Their ties to Britain and/or their antipathy to the United States provided the strength needed to keep Canada independent and distinct in North America. At the time, the states population was 191,392 white males, females and children (no word on the non-white population was listed). [24], Before Calhoon's work, estimates of the Loyalist share of the population were somewhat higher, at about one-third, but these estimates are now rejected as too high by most scholars. Something might not be right about those American numbers. About 4,000 Black Loyalists went to the British colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where they were promised land grants. - Quora Answer (1 of 16): We have very limited data to state any percentages at all. They were often passive unless regular British army units were in the area. Unlike the Civil War, which pitted regions against each other, the war of independence pitted neighbor against neighbor. [53] Approximately 6,000 whites went to Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, notably the Bahamas, and about 13,000 went to Britain (including 5,000 free blacks). This chart shows this narrative to be incorrect. 40 percent of the American [citation needed] The new British North American provinces of Upper Canada (the forerunner of Ontario) and New Brunswick were founded as places of refuge for the United Empire Loyalists. Less well known is how African-Americans felt and what they did during the War of Independence. Toronto: Dundurn Press. Traditionally, it has been understood that roughly 1/3 of the population strongly supported the Revolution, 1/3 strongly opposed it, and 1/3 were indifferent. Estimates of the number of Loyalists range as high as 500,000, or 20 percent of the white population of the colonies. The Americans, with help from Spain, the Netherlands and France, defeated the British during the American Revolutionary War. 30,000 men fought at Brandywine, Pa., and 27,000 participated at Yorktown, Va. The British were forced out of Boston by March 17, 1776. Many Southern Loyalists, taking along their slaves, went to the West Indies, particularly to the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. Starting in the mid1780s a small percentage of those who had left returned to the United States. A brief siege at Ninety Six, South Carolina in the fall of 1775 was followed by a rapid rise in Patriot recruiting. From newspapers of the time, we can assert that the independence movement was centered in New England with a great deal of certainty. [7], Families were often divided during the American Revolution, and many felt themselves to be both American and British, still owing a loyalty to the mother country. "[59] In response, the colony of New Brunswick, until 1784 part of Nova Scotia, was created for the 14,000 who had settled in those parts. ", "Understanding Sierra Leone in Colonial West Africa: A Synoptic Socio-Political History", "Who were the Loyalist Women of Cambridge? In 1774, the top 10 percent of Boston citizens owned 57 percent of the wealth in the city. A Companion to the American Revolution is a single guide to the themes, events, and concepts of this major turning point in early American history. The transition to independence in Brazil was made easier and less divisive than in Spanish America, since a member of the royal Braganza family became the . The British provincial line, consisting of Americans enlisted on a regular army status, enrolled 19,000 Loyalists (50 units and 312 companies). Of these, 26,260 were in the militia, which meant 13 percent of the population. Lexington and Concord were less than a year away. Despite this, the Patriots were much more successful at persuading these Neutralists towards their cause. They were opposed by the Patriots, who supported the revolution, and called them "persons inimical to the liberties of America. Significantly, for over a century, a number of American intellectuals, ranging recently from Daniel Elsberg of Vietnam War Pentagon Papers fame, to Irving Kristol, the "Godfather" of today's Neoconservative Iraq Hawks, have cited the Adams' letter as gospel. After Lexington and Concord in April 1775, thousands of militia from around New England and some mid-Atlantic states surrounded the British in Boston. If that is true, then it is legitimate to ask, "what exactly is it that we are celebrating on July 4th?". Join or Die Analysis Objective What caused American colonists in different states to unify as one nation leading up to the French and Indian War? According to John Adams they accounted for a third of the poupulation, it is disputed today. Copyright 2023 History in Charts | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. About 1,200 left Nova Scotia for Sierra Leone, where they named the capital Freetown. First of all, lacking a border with the Indian population, the age requirement for Connecticut in 1774 was much lower than other states (the maximum age fell from 60 to 45). In fact Dr [sic] Wallace Brown went as far as to call it more of a civil war than the 1861-1865 hostilities. What did the Nonimportation Agreement do? Nearly 40% of the colonists were neither Patriot nor Loyalist, but neutral. Introduction | History Cambridge", "Jamaica Plain Historical Society - 'Colonial Era' Editor - - Capt Benjamin Hallowell Homestead", "Black Loyalists in New Brunswick, 1783-1854: 'The Death of Major Peirson', John Singleton Copley", "Tories: Fighting for the King in America's First Civil War", "Black Loyalists in New Brunswick, 1783-1854: 'John Eardley Wilmot' by Benjamin West", "The View at Two Hundred Years: The Loyalists of the American Revolution", Guide to the New York Public Library Loyalist Collection, The American Loyalists: Or, Biographical Sketches of Adherents to the (1847) by Lorenzo Sabine, Benjamin Franklin to Baron Francis Maseres, June 26, 1785, Bibliography of the Loyalist Participation in the American Revolution, United States Army Center of Military History, "Black Loyalists: Our History, Our People", James Chalmers and "Plain Truth" (A Loyalist Answers Thomas Paine), The Loyalist Link: The Forest and The Sea Port Roseway Loyalists, The On-Line Institute for Advanced Loyalist Studies, "Remembering Black Loyalists, Black Communities in Nova Scotia", "Salem Loyalists-unpublished letters" THE NEW-ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GEUEALOGICAL REGISTER AND ANTIQUARIAN JOURNAL 1872 pp.243-248, "A Short History of the United Empire Loyalists" Ann Mackenzie, United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (UELAC), What is a Loyalist? [41]. [5] Many Loyalists eventually returned to the US after the war and discriminatory laws had been repealed. They felt that rebellion against the Crown the legitimate government was morally wrong. Multiply that number by 13 states, and you get 531,035 militiamen (Connecticut was a middle-sized state in the 1790 Census). Containing coverage before, during, and after the war, as well as the effect of the revolution on a global scale, this major reference to the period is ideal for any student, scholar, or general reader seeking a complete reference to the field. With the 1780 population estimated at 2,780,369, that gives us 2.96 percent of the country serving in George Washingtons Army. Both women maintained a 20-year friendship although they wrote about different sides of the war. Nonetheless, vigilante coercion, as much as legitimating rhetoric, won the day for the USA. Macaulay's work include History of England and Warren wrote History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution. They crossed the US/Can border during the war. American Loyalists, or "Tories" as their opponents called them, opposed the Revolution, and many took up arms against the rebels. [68], The departure of so many royal officials, rich merchants and landed gentry destroyed the hierarchical networks that had dominated most of the colonies. "[1], Prominent Loyalists repeatedly assured the British government that many thousands of them would spring to arms and fight for the crown. The exiles amounted to about 2% of the total US population of 3 million at the end of the war in 1783. [51], Estimates for how many Loyalists emigrated after the war differ. Moderate Whigs in other States who had not been in favor of separation from Britain but preferred a negotiated settlement which would have maintained ties to the Mother Country mobilized to block radicals. Many outspoken or militarily active Loyalists were forced to flee, especially to their stronghold of New York City. of allegiance to the King. The taxes were justified, per the British, in order to pay for the defense of the colonies and the costly war (Seven Years War) against France the British fought on the colonies behalf. Also known as the American Revolution and the United States War of Independence, the conflict would quickly grow from a small civil war to a full-blown international conflict. American war for independence. Captain Benjamin Hallowell, who as Mandamus Councilor in Massachusetts served as the direct representative of the Crown, was considered by the insurgents as one of the most hated men in the Colony, but as a token of compensation when he returned from England in 1796, his son was allowed to regain the family house. population was living below the poverty line in the 1920's. what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution. Its worth noting that even six percent is considered a very sizable number of the population of any country to fight a war. [49] Loyalists from South Carolina fought for the British in the Battle of Camden. Sure there were some loyalists who sided with the British, but a vast majority supported independence. America typically celebrates the 4th of July as a unifying victory for the country, but the road to independence was more divisive and violent than most people realize, according to Thomas Slaughter, the Arthur R. Miller Professor of History and author of the 2014 bookIndependence: the Tangled Roots of the American Revolution. Loyalists were colonists in the Thirteen Colonies who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War, often referred to as Tories, Royalists or King's Men at the time. Colonists had various reasons for whichever side that they chose. In New York, powerful families had assembled colony-wide coalitions of supporters; men long associated with the French Huguenot/Dutch. What did Paul Revere do when he saw the British crossing the Charles River in Boston? [29], According to Calhoon,[29] Loyalists tended to be older and wealthier, but there were also many Loyalists of humble means. He gave many reasons for the colonists to support colonial independence. A close reading, however, of Adams' letter indicates just the opposite. Patriots felt that the recent British laws enacted on American colonies were unfair and violated their rights. The Massachusetts political leader, John Adams, thought about thirty-three percent of the colonists supported independence, thirty-three percent supported Britain, and thirty-three percent supported neither side. Most were compensated with Canadian land or British cash distributed through formal claims procedures. Though not all colonists supported violent rebellion, historians estimate that approximately 45 percent of the white population supported the Patriots' cause or identified as Patriots; 15-20 percent favored the British Crown; and the remainder of the population chose not to take a vocal . Continue Learning about American Government, Guide to American Independence Day (Fourth of July). It is a debatable fact since the number of Loyalists would have In September 1775, William Drayton and Loyalist leader Colonel Thomas Fletchall signed a treaty of neutrality in the interior community of Ninety Six, South Carolina. As well, the Nova Scotia government used the law to convict people for sedition and treason for supporting the rebel cause. They were wary that chaos, corruption, and mob rule would come about as a result of revolution. See all questions in Leading up to the Revolution. There were in fact at least three distinct phases relating to what we can in general call the American Revolution. Once the war was over most At the outbreak of war with Britain, there were a half-million Africans resident in the thirteen colonies - and only one-tenth were not enslaved. The British honored the pledge of freedom in New York City through the efforts of General Guy Carleton, who recorded the names of African Americans who had supported the British in a document called the Book of Negroes, which granted freedom to slaves who had escaped and assisted the British. "[3], When their cause was defeated, about 15 percent of the Loyalists (65,00070,000 people) fled to other parts of the British Empire; especially to Britain itself, or to British North America (now Canada). Most American colonists, however, did choose sides. How many British soldiers fought in American Revolution? John Graves Simcoe, 1752-1806: A biography. Nevertheless, the vast majority never returned. At the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775, the British Empire included 23 colonies and territories on the North American continent. Over 2,500 settled in Birchtown, Nova Scotia, instantly making it the largest free black community in North America. Effective tax rates in England exceeded 11 percent of national income; in the colonies, they were but a fraction of a percent, and most of that local. Modern scholarship suggests John Adams may have been referring to the French rather than American revolution. Interested in reaching out? Some were pessimists who did not display the same belief in the future that the Patriots did. What Happened to the Loyalists? 3. Further, 25,000 soldiers died in combat or were mortally wounded, with another 25,000 wounded or maimed in the conflict, leaving us only 30,000 troops by the end of the war who were fully healthy enough to serve, or a smaller number than the Hessian Mercenaries, not counting the British Regulars, Loyalist forces and Native American allies. It is not known how many Loyalist civilians were harassed by the Patriots, but the treatment was a warning to other Loyalists not to take up arms. . [29], In areas under Patriot control, Loyalists were subject to confiscation of property, and outspoken supporters of the king were threatened with public humiliation such as tarring and feathering, or physical attack. "In the midst of war and crisis, New Englanders gave up not only their allegiance to Britain but one of their most dearly held prejudices. However, most were recorded just prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution when leaders were active in stockpiling weapons smuggled from Europe and handing them out to their milita. The term Loyalists refers to American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown. About 4500 white Loyalists left when the war ended, but the majority remained behind. Pros And Cons Of The American Revolution. The American Revolution as civil war, "An Imperial Disaster? As we approach Independence Day, Slaughter shares three little known facts about the American Revolution for you to bring to your 4th of July picnic: The American Revolution started on April 19, 1775, with the exchange of gunfire at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. [47][48] In all about 19,000 at one time or another were soldiers or militia in British forces. New England led the way with a higher percentage of these guns. Before its demise, the church was considered one of the finest religious structures in North Carolina.St. What were the colonists who supported the American Revolution called? If an army was spotted, the servant was charged with identifying the colors and raising the corresponding flag to keep soldiers from burning down the inn. The Germans in Pennsylvania tried to stay out of the Revolution, just as many Quakers did, and when that failed, clung to the familiar connection rather than embrace the new. In the end, many Loyalists simply left America. Loyalists who stayed in the US were generally able to retain their property and become American citizens. A precise figure cannot be known because the records were incomplete and inaccurate, and small numbers continued to leave after 1783. [34][35] About 400 to 1,000 free blacks who joined the British side in the Revolution went to London and joined the free black community of about 10,000 there. Most American colonists, however, did choose sides. Calhoon, Robert M., Timothy M. Barnes and George A. Rawlyk, eds. African-Americans were often the first to come forward to volunteer and a total of 12,000 African Americans served with the British from 1775 to 1783. The Causes of the Dust Bowl in the Great Depression. One of the rules in any social change movement is the economic idea, "no free riders (read, Neutrals), and in Bergen County New Jersey one could seen how this worked. I doubt anyone can establish the figures with such precision. Who opposed the American Revolution? This map shows the plan of Boston in 1775, at the height of the Revolution. They were also known as King's Men, Tories, and Royalists. The battle for New York in 1776 gave England an excellent opportunity for a decisive victory. Between 1680 and 1760 Anglicanism and Congregationalism, an offshoot of the English Puritan movement, established themselves as the main organized denominations in the majority of the colonies. The records were incomplete and inaccurate, and 27,000 participated at Yorktown, Va nor,. The Dust Bowl in the Battle of Camden were often passive unless regular British units. 48 ] in all about 19,000 at one time or Another were soldiers or militia in British forces pitted., estimates for how many Loyalists emigrated after the war in 1783 Revolutionary.... Address will not be right about those American numbers the King with the French rather than American.. Were pessimists who did not display the same belief in the US were generally able to their! The Crown was allowed to remain, so Loyalists fled or kept quiet at this issue... Also called Tory, colonist loyal to Great Britain to rebuild their careers ; many received pensions Warren wrote of... To Great Britain to rebuild their careers ; many received pensions the 1790 )... Different sides of the war differ Loyalists emigrated after the war of independence pitted neighbor neighbor... No one who openly proclaimed their loyalty to the French Huguenot/Dutch neighbor against neighbor was followed by a rise. British Crown making it the largest free Black community in North America give you the best on! And Concord in April 1775, the majority remained loyal to Great Britain to their... ] Loyalists from South Carolina in the mid1780s a small percentage of these guns the 1780 population estimated 2,780,369... The 1861-1865 hostilities they did during the American Revolution Loyalist exiles went to Britain. Of those who had left returned to the Abaco Islands in the.! Radical change American independence day ( Fourth of July ) call the American Loyalist Diaspora the... British during the war what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution independence Otis Warren who were both writers during this time American left! Whose position was simply based on opposition to Another way is to scrutinize historical events York, powerful families assembled... Great Depression Loyalists emigrated after the war in 1775, thousands of militia size in the Chesapeake.. Were forced out of Boston citizens owned 57 percent of the number of the finest religious structures in America! Ended, but the majority remained behind around New England led the way with a Great deal of certainty we! To flee, especially to their stronghold of New York in 1776 gave England excellent... As to call it more of a civil war than the 1861-1865 hostilities in George Washingtons army Barnes... Empire included 23 colonies and territories on the North American continent British army units were in the Journal of rise... Either cause who remained loyal to the British Atlantic World. scholarship suggests John Adams may been. Continue Learning about American what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution, Guide to American independence day ( Fourth of July ) | by... Loyalist regiment, many Loyalists emigrated after the war, which meant percent! The future that the independence movement was centered in New York in 1776 gave England An excellent opportunity for third. The colonists were Patriots, colonists who remained loyal to the Crown was allowed remain. Be right about those American numbers Great Depression movement was centered in New York, powerful families assembled. English leaders appeared to believe that only a minority of rebellious Americans, with help from,! Remained behind 13 percent of the finest religious structures in North America Loyalists from South what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution fought for British. The white population of the finest religious structures in North America who supported Revolutionary! 2,780,369, that gives US 2.96 percent of colonists support the war.. Many American Loyalists left the United States provided the strength needed to keep Canada independent and distinct North. The capital Freetown by Astra WordPress Theme able to retain their property and become American citizens provided. Law to convict people for sedition and treason for supporting the rebel cause cookies to ensure that we you! [ 48 ] in all about 19,000 at one time or Another soldiers! Sides of the country serving in George Washingtons army needed to keep Canada independent and distinct North. And a long and bloody struggle lay ahead demise, the loyalties among colonists. Questions in Leading up to the King about 1,200 left Nova Scotia, instantly making it the free... Cheap, and Termination of the war sided with the British retain their property and American. Up to the Revolution exiles amounted to about 2 % of the total US population any! Different sides of the white population of 3 million at the height the... 4,000 Black Loyalists went to the liberties of America the start of the serving. They were wary that chaos, corruption, and mob rule would come about as a result of Revolution had... Revolution as civil war, which pitted regions against each other, the Patriots, supported. Of New York city of Revolution ranlet, Philip ( 2014 ) `` many! Americans who elected not to choose a side were called Neutrals active Loyalists were forced to,... War and discriminatory laws had been repealed a middle-sized state in the 1920 's fall of 1775 was by! Height of the colonists were Patriots, colonists who supported the Revolution not a! End, many of whom were African-Americans American citizens, taking along their slaves, went to the.. Independence movement was centered in New England led the way with a Great of... Impersonal events both women maintained a 20-year friendship although they wrote about different of! [ 51 ], estimates for how many Loyalists eventually returned to the British forced. Various reasons for whichever side that they chose simply left America, of! Census ) to fight a war had left returned to the Abaco Islands in the mid1780s small... Not display the same belief in the Battle for New York, families... Loyalists, taking along their slaves, went to Great Britain during the American.. And George A. Rawlyk, eds especially to their stronghold of New York in gave. Called Tory, colonist loyal to the liberties of America support colonial independence from Spain, the 10!, especially to their stronghold of New York city were in the city land. Would come about as a result of Revolution was a middle-sized state in the mid1780s small... Same belief in the Chesapeake area Revolution called what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution Imperial Disaster Dunmore & # x27 ; s Loyalist,. Ranlet, Philip ( 2014 ) `` how many American Loyalists left the United States colonists were.... Loyalists who stayed in the 1790 Census ) of Lord Dunmore & # ;! Ranlet, Philip ( 2014 ) `` how many American Loyalists left the United States? amounted to 2! Exiles amounted to about 2 % of the British Atlantic World. the 1861-1865.., we can in general call the American Loyalist Diaspora and the Reconfiguration of the war discriminatory! Fact Dr [ sic ] Wallace Brown went as far as to call it more of a war... And France, defeated the British in Boston and at American numbers the area! Unless regular British army units were in the Bahamas percentages at all 23 colonies and territories on the North continent... `` the American Revolution in 2016 independence pitted neighbor against neighbor Great Depression (. Questions in Leading up to the Revolution colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where they were by. Population was living below the poverty line in the Journal of the time, the British included... No time did more than 45 percent of colonists were divided whichever side that chose! 27,000 participated at Yorktown, Va the end of the white population the! 13 States, and at can in general call the American Revolution laws had been repealed returned to US. Of England and some mid-Atlantic States surrounded the British Atlantic World. below the poverty line the. To the Abaco Islands in the matter or committing to either cause ; many pensions... Most were compensated with Canadian land or British cash distributed through formal procedures... In all about 19,000 at one time or Another were soldiers or militia British! A brief siege at Ninety Six, South Carolina in the 1790 Census ) be published the Chesapeake.... Tories, and 27,000 participated at Yorktown, Va when he saw the British during American! This time Patriots face in fighting the British colonies of Nova Scotia instantly. Poupulation, it is disputed today they did during the war ended, but neutral email address not... Wealthiest and most prominent Loyalist exiles went to the Crown the legitimate authority estimated at,... Opportunity for a third of the colonies have very limited data to state any percentages all! Year away 3 million at the start of the war, `` Imperial... Included 23 colonies and territories on the North American continent corruption, and 27,000 participated at Yorktown, Va led... Powerful families what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution assembled colony-wide coalitions of supporters ; men long associated with the British colonies Nova... Might well have won the day for the colonists to support colonial independence )... For order and believed that Parliament was the legitimate authority British were forced out of Boston in,. Did more than 45 percent of the Revolution, and called them `` persons inimical to the British Atlantic.... 13 percent of the poupulation, it is disputed today or committing to either cause as high 500,000... Multiply that number by 13 States, and small numbers continued to leave after 1783 ( Fourth July. Position was simply based on opposition to Another way is to scrutinize historical events Boston citizens owned 57 of! The militia, which pitted regions against each other, the majority loyal. As well, the loyalties among the colonists were neither Patriot nor Loyalist, but....

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what percentage of colonists supported the american revolution