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B4 (Dilemma): Patriots vs Loyalists

Last updated about 3 years ago
1 question
First, read the description about the major groups of people in the Revolution: Patriots, Moderates, and Loyalists.

Then, categorize the arguments below based on whether you think they were said by a Patriot or a Loyalist.
Although a number of American colonists chose to rebel against the British government in the 1760s and 1770s, most colonists actually chose not to rebel at the start of the Revolution.

About 1/3 of colonists were "Patriots" - colonists who supported the rebellion against the British because they believed that their rights were being violated.
About 1/3 of colonists were "Moderates" - colonists who were in the middle or did not want to choose a side.
About 1/3 of colonists were "Loyalists" - colonists who remained loyal to the British king and did not want to separate from Great Britain.

So not only did the patriots need to win the military conflict against the British, but they also needed to win over the hearts of minds of the moderates and the loyalists.
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  • "If we break free from the British, all of my debts may be erased and I can get a fresh start."
  • "The Americans are too weak to ever survive on their own - they need Great Britain."
  • "Everyone who pays taxes should have a say in their government."
  • "People have rights, like liberty, that the government can never take away."
  • "The French and Indian War was fought to help protect the colonies - of course the colonists should have to pay part of that cost."
  • "The colonies make a profit by trading with the British - they need to stay friendly with each other."
  • "British soldiers have killed colonists who were protesting - how could we not fight back?"
  • "If we break free from Great Britain, I may lose all of the money and land that I have accumulated here in the colonies. I can't have that."
  • "My business depends on a good relationship with the British - we need to stay part of their empire."
  • "All people have the right to property - our money is our property so it is unfair to take that away from us by taxing us."
  • "Colonists should obey British laws because they are part of the British Empire."
  • "The British only fought the French and Indian War to secure their empire against the French - they didn't fight it to actually help the colonists, so why should we pay for it?"
  • Patriot Argument
  • Loyalist Argument