Rational Loyalty: Why the American Revolution Became a Civil War
Disciplines
Social History | United States History
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The American Revolution was a rebellion against Britain, but also a civil war amongst the colonists, often pitting colonists against colleagues, neighbors, and family. Though American students learn about the Revolution, emphasis is rarely placed on the motivations, beliefs, and rationale of those that remained loyal to Britain. Thorough analysis of the Loyalists was sparse prior to the 1990s, with most accounts writing the Loyalists off as simple, cowardly, or greedy. In this project I will compile arguments made against the Revolutionary War and how these arguments to the contrary differed from the common arguments in favor of conflict. My early assessment of the secondary sources has yielded a variety of reasons a person may have remained loyal to the British Empire during this time. A commonly held assertion in many works is that many Loyalists agreed with the Patriots in their anger against the lack of representation, and some even agreed that the Colonies should seek independence from British rule. However, these Loyalists believed a war against the British Empire, the most powerful force in the world, was unwinnable and would bring death and retribution in the aftermath. Some Loyalists also held moral objections. A group of Christian clergymen made doctrinal and legalistic arguments against rebellion and many people morally opposed war against those they considered kinsmen. I have located primary sources including correspondence from Reverend Samuel Seabury, available in microform at the Sturgis Library, and “The True Interest of America Impartially Stated” by Charles Inglis, available through GALILEO. In addition, “Letters of Papinian”, written under pseudonym by Charles Inglis and “Plain Truth” by Candidus (also Charles Inglis), a pamphlet written in direct response to “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine, and “A friendly Address to All Reasonable Americans” by Thomas Chandler are available on the Internet Archive.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - History & Philosophy
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Amy Dunagin
Rational Loyalty: Why the American Revolution Became a Civil War
The American Revolution was a rebellion against Britain, but also a civil war amongst the colonists, often pitting colonists against colleagues, neighbors, and family. Though American students learn about the Revolution, emphasis is rarely placed on the motivations, beliefs, and rationale of those that remained loyal to Britain. Thorough analysis of the Loyalists was sparse prior to the 1990s, with most accounts writing the Loyalists off as simple, cowardly, or greedy. In this project I will compile arguments made against the Revolutionary War and how these arguments to the contrary differed from the common arguments in favor of conflict. My early assessment of the secondary sources has yielded a variety of reasons a person may have remained loyal to the British Empire during this time. A commonly held assertion in many works is that many Loyalists agreed with the Patriots in their anger against the lack of representation, and some even agreed that the Colonies should seek independence from British rule. However, these Loyalists believed a war against the British Empire, the most powerful force in the world, was unwinnable and would bring death and retribution in the aftermath. Some Loyalists also held moral objections. A group of Christian clergymen made doctrinal and legalistic arguments against rebellion and many people morally opposed war against those they considered kinsmen. I have located primary sources including correspondence from Reverend Samuel Seabury, available in microform at the Sturgis Library, and “The True Interest of America Impartially Stated” by Charles Inglis, available through GALILEO. In addition, “Letters of Papinian”, written under pseudonym by Charles Inglis and “Plain Truth” by Candidus (also Charles Inglis), a pamphlet written in direct response to “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine, and “A friendly Address to All Reasonable Americans” by Thomas Chandler are available on the Internet Archive.