1. The Loyalists
Mass Migration

2. The United Empire Loyalists
In the 13 Colonies, those who
remained loyal to Britain were called
the United Empire Loyalists
Many Loyalists had been persecuted by rebel forces during the American Revolution
American Revolution cartoon
Most Loyalists were forced to flee their land, homes, and possessions

3. When did the Loyalists leave?
Some came to BNA (British North
America) soon after the
American Revolution began
Most were evacuated by ship from
New York in 1783 & 1784 when the
war was over
Some Loyalists went back to Britain,\,
Jamaica, or to other British colonies

4. Why did the Loyalists leave?
The Loyalists reasons for migrating to BNA varied:
Some had roots in Britain and wanted to live under British rule
Life was intolerable for some in the 13 colonies (harassment)
Many women & children had to migrate because fathers or husbands decided to move
Some Loyalists were conscientious objectors – who for religious reasons would not fight
Others were “land Loyalists” who wanted to take advantage of the free land in BNA

5. Loyalist Punishment Tarring and Feathering to inflict pain and
humiliation

6. Who were the Loyalists? Wealthy & poor Young & old Male & Female
European
African American
First Nations
Joseph Brant – First Nations

7. First Nations Loyalists
The Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy were also Loyalist refugees
The Six Nations were divided: 2 Nations sided with the rebels (Tuscarora & Oneida) 4 Nations sided with the British (Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, & Seneca)
The First Nations Loyalists were fighting for their communities’ survival. Battles took place on their homeland, and the causalities were often their families
Despite their loyalty, First Nations peoples were ignored in the Treaty of Paris in 1783

8. Black Loyalists
Near the end of the American Revolution, Great Britain issued a proclamation promising freedom and safety to any slaves who deserted their American masters
Approximately 3,000 free Black Loyalists- as well as hundreds of slaves migrated to BNA
Sadly when they arrived they were marginalized, attacked, harassed, and given the worst land available
In 1792 ~ 1,200 Black Loyalists left Nova Scotia for Africa

9. The Loyalist immigration to BNA
Between : around 35, 000 Loyalist families settled in Nova Scotia
10, 000 Loyalist families settled in Quebec
In total, close to 100,000 Loyalists migrated to BNA during these years

10. The Loyalists & Impacts to BNA
In Nova Scotia the Loyalists quickly outnumbered the rest of the population
In 1784, the area near the Bay of Fundy was separated from Nova Scotia to become the colony of New Brunswick

11. The Loyalists & Changes to BNA
The Constitutional Act, 1791
The arrival of the Loyalists changed BNA’s demographics: 1) Increased English-speaking population 2) Increased demand for agricultural land
Sir Guy Carleton decided to revamp the Quebec Act. In its place: Constitutional Act of 1791

12. Constitutional Act, 1791 Cont’d…
The Constitutional Act recognized that there were two dominant groups in the colony: English and French
Each group had their own religious, legal, and political outlooks, as well as traditions
Therefore Quebec was
divided into 2 colonies:
Upper Canada (now ONT) and
Lower Canada (now QUE)
(Named after direction of St. Lawrence)

13. Constitutional Act, 1791 Cont’d
Each of the Canada's could maintain its own language regulations, laws, land-owning system, and religious beliefs:
Each area had a separate Appointed Governor and Council
Each had an Elected Assembly
It provided a British legal and land holding system for Upper Canada
Preserved French Catholic rights in lower Canada
Each of the Canadas had a capital city: Lower Canada=Quebec City, & Upper Canada=Newark