1. The Loyalists

2. Facts about the Loyalists
Not everyone in the Thirteen Colonies supported the revolution
About one third of the people believed in the revolutionary cause
One third was neutral
And one third remained actively loyal to the King in England
Loyalists came from all social classes

3. Mistreatment at Home
In the years leading up to the revolution the Loyalists were looked on with little favor by their neighbors
In all areas the Loyalists lived in an unfriendly environment
When the revolution broke out people who still supported Britain faced violent persecution

4. Neighbor vs. Neighbor
Even suspected Loyalists were faced with injustice
Some of the atrocities perpetrated in the name of the revolution included:
Looting of the homes of suspected Loyalists
Vigilante committees
Lynch mobs
Mutilation
Murder

5. After the American Revolution

6. Exodus The American Revolution ended in 1783.
The injustices intensified to the point where Loyalist felt they should leave the country
They settled in many places:
England
Bermuda
Nova Scotia
The group of immigrants also included Acadians, Blacks, Mennonites

7. Loyalists in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia was one of the major destinations for the fleeing Loyalists
Approximately 30,000 Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia after the Revolutionary War
The previous population of 17,000 was more than doubled
The British government undertook the task of settling these people in return for the loyalty they had shown the British crown

8. Loyalists in Nova Scotia (con’t)
The Loyalists were granted land, tools, and provisions in order to start their new life in British North America
Some were unable to cope with frontier life and returned to the United States or moved to England
Some difficulties also arose as the Loyalists were not happy that Nova Scotians did not aide Britain in the revolution

9. Loyalists in Quebec
In addition to Anglo-Saxon Loyalists there were also disbanded mercenary companies
As the immigrants were granted land in the colony of Quebec several “land Loyalists” arrived to take advantage
The Loyalists in Quebec were mostly frontier farmers in the Thirteen Colonies and as such adapted to life relatively easily

10. Loyalists in Quebec
Loyalists in Quebec did not want to live under the seigneurial system and settled away from the French colonists
Most of the Loyalists moved west and laid the foundation for a future colony
Land grants and assistance were comparable to Nova Scotia’s Loyalists

11. Loyalists in P.E.I. Some 600 Loyalists settled in Prince Edward Island
They were not given title to the land as it was controlled by absentee landlords

12. Effects of the Loyalist Migration
The migration greatly increased the size of the British-Canadian colonies
More English Protestants lived in Quebec
The Economy of Canada was diversified although the Fur Trade remained an integral part
The creation of the colony of New Brunswick resulted from the high number of settlers there

13. Impact on the First Nations
Many First Nations groups were forced to leave their traditional lands and migrate to British North America.
The British desired to avoid conflict with the First Nations over the granting of lands to the arriving Loyalists.
A number of First Nations peoples were displaced by the influx and settlement of the Loyalists.
The newly-arriving Loyalists did not settle in areas already occupied by the French-speaking population. They preferred to settle in sparsely populated areas and create their own islands of settlement.

14. Effects of the Loyalist Migration
It rendered the Quebec Act obsolete as there was now a high number of English Protestants in Quebec
Loyalists brought a belief in British rights, traditions, and heritage

15. Discussion Questions
What solution could be suggested to solve the problems of Loyalist in Quebec?
What are some of the conflicts that arose when the Loyalists arrived?
Are the Attitudes of the Loyalists still alive today?