Tory or Patriot What’s the difference?

**Remember: Loyal to the royals Tories Famous Tories: -Benedict Arnold -Thomas Hutchinson -James Chalmers -Joseph Brant Tories were colonists whose loyalty remained with Great Britain during the American Revolution AKA: Loyalists King’s men King’s Friends **Remember: Loyal to the royals

Tory Beliefs The ‘divine right of kings’ – the belief that the king had been chosen by god and that his subjects had a religious duty to obey him – led to fierce Tory loyalty to the monarchy The Tories strongly defended the supremacy of the Church of England and were against extending civil rights to non conformists (religious minorities) Tories were overwhelmingly and exclusively made up of upper class nobles The Tories were fearful of and resistant to change and revolution – led them to want to put down protestors The Tories believed the existing political system should never be reformed (or changed)

Patriot Patriots are the persons in the colonies that supported the American Revolution. They included people from all social and economic classes. AKA: Whigs Rebels Sons of Liberty Liberty Boys Famous Patriots: John Adams Sam Adams Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson George Washington Thomas Paine * It may help you remember the Whigs from the Tories if you think of American Whig & General, George Washington, who famously wore a wig.

Whig Beliefs The Whigs were more likely to question the power and spending of the King and the royal family The Whigs believed Parliament should have more power than the King They were mainly upper class but increasingly drew support from ‘new money’ the industrial and commercial middle class The Whigs were sympathetic to religious minorities (Catholics and non conformists) The Whigs were less resistant to change and became more and more pro-reform as the influence of the new middle class grew

Throughout the Colonies When Loyalists were the minority living among Patriot communities : They tended to be passive and quiet, perhaps because of harassment and intimidation. Loyalists were vilified in propaganda as spies, money-hungry capitalists and enemies of the revolution. There were constant threats of violence, such as tarring-and-feathering, against those who continued to support the king Many Loyalist families fled their homes because of threats or intimidation. It is believed that around 80,000 Loyalists fled America during or after the Revolutionary War, most to Canada and some to British colonies in the Caribbean or to England itself. Since Loyalists tended to be government officials or hold some kind of local office, these positions were quickly filled by ambitious Patriots, further shifting the balance in support of the revolution.

Tarring and Feathering

Whig or Tory? Samuel Seabury “If I must be enslaved let it be by a King at least, and not by a parcel of upstart lawless Committeemen. If I must be devoured, let me be devoured by the jaws of a lion and not gnawed to death by rats and vermin.ʺ Would you characterize Samuel Seabury as a Loyalist or a Patriot and why? What symbolism does Seabury use in his statement? What message is Seabury trying to convey?

Whig or Tory? Patrick Henry “Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace‐‐ but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! “ Would you characterize Patrick Henry as a Loyalist or a Patriot and why? To whom is Patrick Henry referring when he says, “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” What is the purpose of Patrick Henry’s speech? Based on his words in this speech, how would you characterize and describe Patrick Henry?

Partner Debate You will be assigned to a group of 4 You will be given a bio card to read, and you will assume the role of either King George or Sam Adams You and your group will be given topics of the American Revolution to debate.  You will each debate the topic based upon the beliefs of the role you were assigned.  

Debate Topics Boston Massacre- British soldiers opened fire into a crowd of unarmed Patriots; killing five Presence of Soldiers- When colonists were forced to house and feed British soldiers due to the Quartering Act set in place by the King Taxation- Colonists are taxed by the British government with the Tea Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts due to the belief citizens should pay for governmental and operational costs Payment of Debt- British government implemented taxes on the colonists in order to pay the war debt from the French and Indian War Boston Tea Party- in response to the Tea Act, a group of Patriots boarded a ship and dumped crates of British tea into the Boston Harbor Boycotting- Colonists way of protesting imposed British taxes by avoiding purchasing them

Debate Follow Up Based on what you read about each man, how would you characterize King George and Samuel Adams? After participating in the debate, those of you who played KG, how did you feel about Samuel Adams and why? Those of you playing Samuel Adams, how did you feel about King George and why? In your opinion, why are these two men’s views so drastically different? Is there any way these two men, representing Loyalist and Patriot sentiments, could compromise? Explain. Do you think there was any way to avoid the American Revolution? What do you imagine life would be like in North America today if Patriots had not been involved, active citizens and started this revolution? As a group, fill in the Events of the Revolution debate chart summarizing the opinions of each side.

Opposing Views Loyalists Patriots A strong unified British Empire is good for all. Colonists are British subjects and should obey British law Taxes are due to pay for the French and Indian War which was fought to protect the colonies American colonies would be weak without Britain Colonies profit from trade with England Colonies are too far away from England to have representation in Parliament, its just not practical People have rights government can’t take away like property. Taxation takes away property from citizens Colonists don’t have voice in Parliament, so England shouldn’t tax colonies. There’s no way colonies could ever be represented in Parliament because it is too far away. Many colonists fought in the French and Indian War (we’ve done our part) British personnel are causing violence, riots, and death (Boston Massacre)