1. Choosing Sides During the American Revolution
November 7, 2014
Choosing Sides During the American Revolution
A Loyalist, a Patriot or Neutral?
You may sit with a partner of your choice.
Have your out on your desk where I can see it. Read and start to respond to “What were the real motives behind the actions of the Founding Fathers”

2. Read the sheet “The Early Years of the War” and answer the questions with your partner on the “Loyalists or Patriot” paper. Be ready to discuss the information.

3. A Loyalist or A Patriot?
What were the major positions among the colonists concerning independence?
Patriot
Loyalist
Neutral

4. 2. How did the issue of revolution affect Native Americans
A Loyalist or A Patriot?
2. How did the issue of revolution affect Native Americans
and African Americans?
The Native Americans and the slaves were split on who they fought with.
Many African Americans were allowed to fight in the revolution. About 5,000 fought in the Continental Army.

5. 3. Look at the chart on page 193. What do you notice
A Loyalist or A Patriot?
3. Look at the chart on page What do you notice
about the number of people who were neutral? How might that have impacted the independence movement?
About 40% of the colonists were neutral and took no side in the war. Fewer than half of the colonists supported the Revolution.
This probably impacted the war because less people would volunteer to fight the British. Also, they would not supply the needed supplies to support the soldiers.

6. Worked for the British government Clergy in the Church of England
Why would anyone want to remain loyal to the English?
Worked for the British government
Clergy in the Church of England
Wanted peace
Afraid of what England would do to them if they lost
Business and profit was good
Life in the colonies was good for them and didn’t want change
Believed one should not go against their government

7. Didn’t want “taxation without representation”
Why would anyone want independence from England and to be a Patriot?
Didn’t want “taxation without representation”
Stamp Act, Quartering Act, Intolerable Acts, etc.
Writs of Assistance
Sick of paying for British wars
Wanted to have freedom and expand into the west
Felt that they were being treated unjustly

8. Didn’t believe in war as a means to resolve the differences
Why would anyone want to remain neutral during this time?
Didn’t believe in war as a means to resolve the differences
Didn’t believe either side
Didn’t want to risk their lives
Did not believe in rebelling against the government, but did not trust the government

9. What does this graph tell you about how the population of the colonies was divided during the American Revolutionary period? Why is this significant?
2. What do you notice about the number of people who were neutral? How might that have impacted the independence movement?

10. What do you notice about the number of people who were neutral
What do you notice about the number of people who were neutral? How might that have impacted the independence movement?
About 40% of the colonists were neutral and took no side in the war. Fewer than half of the colonists supported the Revolution.
This probably impacted the war because less people would volunteer to fight the British. Also, they would not supply the needed supplies to support the soldiers.

11. Setting of My Brother Sam Is Dead
Redding Connecticut

12. Redding Ridge, Connecticut-1776
My Brother Sam is Dead
Redding Ridge, Connecticut-1776