Loyalist Migration PDF

PRE-LOYALISTS: NEW ENGLAND PLANTERS WHAT CAUSED THE Even before the American Revolution, settlers loyal to Britain were MASS MIGRATION...

PRE-LOYALISTS: NEW ENGLAND PLANTERS WHAT CAUSED THE Even before the American Revolution, settlers loyal to Britain were MASS MIGRATION New England a region in present-day northeastern migrating north to the land known today as Canada. After the fall of United States, made up of the states of Connecticut, Louisbourg and the Acadian Expulsion, many farms and lands were OF LOYALISTS? Maine, Massachusetts, New available in Nova Scotia, which included present-day New Brunswick. In Hampshire, Rhode Island, the late autumn of 1758, the British government began posting newspaper and Vermont ads throughout New England, an area located today in the northeastern Planter a British settler United States. These ads targeted Planters, New England colonists who had (colonist) from New England “planted” a new England on North America’s Atlantic coast. Read the ad in who migrated to Atlantic Canada between 1759 Figure 4.2. Why do you think the British government was willing to offer Have you ever moved to a different city or country? It can be very Thirteen Colonies the and 1774 land to the Planters instead of First Nations or Canadiens? challenging to start a new life somewhere. There are new places to get used 13 British colonies on the east coast of North America, to and new friends to make. There is often a feeling of sadness when leaving south of Nova Scotia, which … a favourable Opportunity now presents something behind. The settlers who came to what became Canada from the eventually joined together to form the United States of for the peopling and cultivating, as well Thirteen Colonies, the 13 British colonies on North America’s East Coast, America the Lands vacated by the French, as every experienced many of the same challenges. other Part of this valuable Province … In the early 1770s, the Thirteen Colonies were under British control. Some Loyalist a person living in the Thirteen Colonies who upwards of One Hundred Thousand settlers living there wanted to separate from Britain, while others wanted remained loyal to Britain Acres of Internal Plow-Lands, producing to remain under British control. The Loyalists were settlers who were loyal during the American Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Hemp, Flax, &c. to Britain and supported British rule. In 1775, the American Revolution Revolution These have been cultivated for more than broke out between the British and the colonists who opposed their rule. FIGURE 4.1 This watercolour a Hundred Years past, and never fail of Many Loyalists chose or were forced to leave the Thirteen Colonies and entitled Encampment of the Crops, nor need manuring.… settle elsewhere. This migration increased throughout the war and after the Loyalists in Johnstown, a new settlement on the banks of the war ended. What might some aspects of the migration have looked like? River St. Lawrence in Canada West FIGURE 4.2 This proclamation was posted in the Examine Figure 4.1, which depicts a Loyalist encampment, or campsite, and was originally painted by James Boston Evening Post in October 1758, shortly after Loyalist settlers near Prescott, Ontario. Can you predict what challenges Peachey on June 6, 1784. This is a the fall of Louisbourg. Analyze: What skills would reproduction by J.R. Simpson in the Planters need to live successfully on these the Loyalists would have faced when they first arrived at this encampment? 1925. Analyze: How do you think new lands? these Loyalists felt arriving in this type of settlement? PURSUING LAND OWNERSHIP pull factor a social, political, The chance to own land was the main pull factor, or draw, for the economic, or environmental Planters. Land ownership gave people more economic advantages in life. benefit that draws migrants to an area For example, they could pass down land to their children. What was the main push factor, or force that drives away, behind the Planter migration? push factor a social, political, New England had become crowded, and settlers were eager to acquire more economic, or environmental force that drives migrants land. To take advantage of the available land grants, land given to settlers out of an area by the government, the Planters had to endure a difficult journey. They also land grant an area of land had to resist threats from the French and their First Nations allies. Between given by the government in 1760 and 1768, approximately 8000 Planters accepted the government’s offer exchange for settling the land of land in Nova Scotia and what would become New Brunswick. The British government was eager to have loyal Protestant settlers take over these lands in order to increase Britain’s territory and wealth. The Planters were among the first English-speaking immigrants. They built communities, loyal to Britain, all over the Maritimes. 104 UNIT 1: New France and British North America: 1713–1800 NEL NEL CHAPTER 4: Loyalists in British North America: 1775–1800 105  THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION LOYALISTS VERSUS PATRIOTS After the end of the Seven Years’ War in 1763, tensions grew between some The settlers in the Thirteen Colonies were deeply divided over their loyalty British colonists and the British government. To cover the high costs of to Britain. Many were tired of paying taxes to the faraway British King and supporting the colonies, the British government began to charge colonists getting little in return. Some settlers wanted to break free from Britain and taxes on goods from Britain, such as sugar and stamps. Many colonists Patriot a person living in create their own country. They called themselves Patriots. The British the Thirteen Colonies who government saw the Patriots as rebels, guilty of treason, or betrayal. On the protested having to pay more taxes. supported the rebellion Some colonists felt that the British government was making decisions that against Britain during the other hand, Loyalists wanted to remain British citizens because they did affected their lives without consulting them first. Many colonists refused to American Revolution not believe the Patriots could create a strong country. Some believed that obey laws that were created without their input. They wanted their voices the King was the true leader, while others wanted to keep their business treason the act of betraying representation the act of and rights to be represented in the British government—they wanted one’s country and political ties with Britain. In addition, there were settlers who wanted speaking or acting on behalf of an individual or group representation. Their motto became “no taxation without representation.” to stay neutral so that they could avoid conflict. Figure 4.4A is a poster that was used to convince people to join the Patriots. Figure 4.4B is a THE BOSTON TEA PARTY poster that was used to recruit colonists for the Loyalists. What elements On December 16, 1773, British ships carrying tea from the East India in each poster were used to catch people’s attention? Company arrived in the Boston harbour. A group of protestors, some How do you think disguised as First Nations people, seized the ships and dumped all the tea A B the British government into the water. This event has become known as the Boston Tea Party. would have reacted to Examine Figure 4.3. Why do you think the colonists are dumping the tea? this event? Earlier that year, on April 27, 1773, the British government introduced the Tea Act. The Tea Act allowed only the British tea company, the East India Company, to pay lower taxes on tea. This meant that the company could FIGURE 4.3 This is an 1846 lithograph by Nathaniel Currier sell tea to the colonies at lower prices. Colonial tea merchants could not entitled The Destruction of Tea at compete with these lower prices. When the British ships arrived in Boston Boston Harbor. A lithograph is a in December, stocked with British tea, the colonists decided to protest. print that is a copy of an original painting. Analyze: Why do you The Boston Tea Party triggered a series of events that led to the start of the think the protestors disguised American Revolution in 1775. themselves as First Nations people? FIGURE 4.4 These posters were used to recruit soldiers for the Patriot cause (A) and the Loyalist cause (B) in 1775. Analyze: Which poster do you think is more convincing, and why? The American Revolution began in 1775, when tensions between the Patriots and the Loyalists reached a tipping point. Battles raged throughout the Thirteen Colonies for six years, until the Patriots won a decisive British North America the remaining British colonies victory at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. In 1783, the war officially ended in North America, north with the Treaty of Paris, in which the British gave up their control of the of the United States in Thirteen Colonies to the Patriot forces. This is how the United States of what is known as Canada today, after the American America became an independent country and the lands to the north of the Revolution ended in 1783 United States became known as British North America. 106 UNIT 1: New France and British North America: 1713–1800 NEL NEL CHAPTER 4: Loyalists in British North America: 1775–1800 107 LOYALISTS LIVING IN FEAR WOMEN LEFT BEHIND The American Revolution divided the continent and pitted neighbour Despite living in such hostile conditions, Loyalists still had to provide for against neighbour. After Britain’s defeat, life in the Thirteen Colonies became and protect their families. Consider the perspective of Loyalist women. even more difficult for Loyalists. Their loyalty to Britain was challenged by Many were left behind when their Loyalist husbands fled the Thirteen the Patriot victors, who harassed and attacked them. The Loyalists also How did Colonies during the war. One of these women was Mary Munro, who lived John Munro’s beliefs in Vermont. Her husband, John, had been recruiting for the Loyalists. The risked having their property taken away even before the war officially broke and values influence out. Loyalists who spoke publicly about their loyalty to the King risked his decisions? Patriots had sentenced him to death, so John had to flee Vermont. Mary and public humiliation. A popular way of attacking Loyalists was tarring and her eight children were left behind, vulnerable to violence and the risk of feathering—pouring hot tar over them and then covering them in feathers. having their home seized by Patriots. Read Figure 4.6, which is an excerpt Examine Figure 4.5, which is a political cartoon published by a British from a letter written by Mary to John. How was she feeling in this situation? newspaper. In the cartoon, a tax collector is being tarred and feathered FIGURE 4.5 This political cartoon by Bostonian Patriots, and also forced to drink tea, all under a copy of the was published in a British newspaper in 1774. Analyze: What “For heavens sake, my dear Mr. Munro, send me some relief by Stamp Act (a tax on printed paper) tacked to a tree. Why do you think public does this cartoon suggest Britain’s humiliation was a popular way to harass Loyalists? opinion of the Patriots was at the first safe hand. Is there no possibility of your sending for us? If there this time? is no method fallen upon we shall perish [die], for you can have no idea of our sufferings here; Let me once more intreat [beg] you to try every method to save your family; my heart is so full it is ready to break; adieu my Dearest John, may God Almighty bless preserve and protect you, that we may live to see each other is the constant prayer of your affectionate tho’ afflicted [distressed] wife …” — Mary Munro, Loyalist FIGURE 4.6 This excerpt is from an undated letter written sometime between 1777 and 1778 by Munro to her husband John. Analyze: What does Mary say will happen to her and the children if they stay in Vermont? Now read Figure 4.7, an excerpt from the diary of a Scottish woman named Janet Schaw who was visiting her brother in North Carolina during the same period. Compare this excerpt with Figure 4.6. What do these two excerpts suggest about how Loyalists were being treated? If you were a Loyalist at that time, would you have stayed in the Thirteen Colonies and become a Patriot? Or would you have left everything behind for the chance of a better life elsewhere? “At present the martial law stands thus: An officer or committeeman enters a plantation with his posse. The alternative is proposed. Agree to join us [Patriots] and your persons and properties are safe … if you refuse, we are directly to cut up your corn, shoot your pigs, burn your houses, seize your Negroes and perhaps tar and feather yourself. Not to choose the first requires more courage than they are possessed of, and I believe this method has seldom failed with the lower sort.” — Janet Schaw, Scottish woman FIGURE 4.7 This is an entry from the diary of Schaw in June 1775. Martial law refers to when ordinary law is suspended and the military takes control of the government. The quote uses the term Negroes, which was common at that time. Today, some people find it offensive so a preferred and more commonly used term is Black people. Analyze: To whom do you think Schaw is referring when she says “the lower sort”? 108 UNIT 1: New France and British North America: 1713–1800 NEL NEL CHAPTER 4: Loyalists in British North America: 1775–1800 109 REWARDING LOYALTY HAUDENOSAUNEE LOYALISTS Loyalists had many strong reasons for wanting to leave The Haudenosaunee Six Nations were divided by the war. their land. British North America had many pull factors Most of the Haudenosaunee were British allies, but some had that attracted the Loyalists. Since the British government sided with the Patriots. When the British government gave still had control over British North America, Loyalists up all of its land in the Thirteen Colonies, this included the were invited to find safety there. Most Loyalists, especially Haudenosaunee territory south of the Great Lakes. Mohawk those who had fought for the British, were offered free leaders John Deseronto and Thayendanegea, also known land, tools, and seeds to grow crops. Britain even provided as Joseph Brant, met with Governor-in-Chief Frederick transportation for many Loyalists, evacuating large groups Haldimand to discuss their territory losses. Figure 4.10 shows by ships out of places such as the New York harbour. a portrait of Thayendanegea. Of the over 70 000 Loyalists who fled the Thirteen Read the quote in Figure 4.11 from Haldimand in 1784, Colonies, about 50 000 travelled north to British North addressing the issue of lost land. Based on Haldimand’s America. More than half of these Loyalists went to words, what kind of relationship do you think he had with Nova Scotia. Why do you think so many Loyalists fled the Haudenosaunee? To reward the Haudenosaunee’s to Nova Scotia? The decision to leave was often made loyalty, the British government purchased a tract, or a large very quickly, sometimes just ahead of Patriots arriving area of land, from the Mississauga and Ojibwe peoples. at their door. One such scene is depicted in Figure 4.8. Many First Nations families settled on this land, which is Like many, these Loyalists left their home to find safety in often called the Haldimand tract. British North America. The rest of the American Loyalists either fled south or returned to Britain. “I have at the earnest desire of many of these BLACK LOYALISTS His Majesty’s faithful Allies purchased a tract of land During the American Revolution, the British promised from the Indians situated between the Lakes Ontario, freedom for enslaved Black people. They also promised Erie and Huron and I do hereby in His Majesty’s name them land and equal rights if they deserted their Patriot FIGURE 4.10 This 1786 portrait by Gilbert Stuart authorize and permit the said Mohawk Nation and such masters and joined the Loyalists. About 3000 Black Loyalists depicts Thayendanegea, also known as Joseph Brant. others of the Six Nation Indians as wish to settle in moved to Nova Scotia on the strength of this promise. Analyze: Based on this portrait, what characteristics that quarter to take possession of and settle upon the Look at Figure 4.9, which shows a family of Black Loyalists do you think Thayendanegea had? FIGURE 4.8 This painting, entitled Tory Refugees on Banks of the River commonly called Ours [Ouse] or travelling by wagon cart in Nova Scotia. What hopes and Their Way to Canada by Howard Pyle, was created in Grand River, running into Lake Erie, allotting to them for expectations might this family have had when they left the 1901, long after the actual event. Loyalists were often that purpose six miles deep from each side of the river Thirteen Colonies for Nova Scotia? Later in this chapter, you called “Tories” by the Patriots. Analyze: Look closely at the foreground and background. What story is told by beginning at Lake Erie and extending in that proportion will examine whether or not Black Loyalists were rewarded the details in each? FIGURE 4.11 This excerpt is from the 1784 to the head of the said river, which them and their fairly for their loyalty. Haldimand Proclamation, which granted land to posterity are to enjoy for ever.” the Haudenosaunee refugees. Analyze: What do you think is the British government’s perspective of — Haldimand Proclamation the Haudenosaunee? CHECK-IN 1. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE The Loyalists were a 3. EVALUATE AND DRAW CONCLUSIONS Based on diverse group of individuals from the Thirteen the evidence in this section, do you think the FIGURE 4.9 This 1835 painting, Colonies. Explain possible reasons why they Loyalists who moved to British North America entitled Bedford Basin by remained loyal to Britain. made the right decision? Explain why, or why not. Robert Petley, portrays a family of Black Loyalists travelling to settle 2. INTERPRET AND ANALYZE Examine the evidence for 4. COMMUNICATE Design an advertisement to attract in Nova Scotia after the American the push and pull factors that drove the Loyalists Loyalist settlers to British North America. What Revolution. Analyze: What to British North America. Which factors do you text and design elements will you use to appeal challenges do you think this family of Black Loyalists may have faced think had a greater impact? to Loyalists? during their migration? 110 UNIT 1: New France and British North America: 1713–1800 NEL NEL CHAPTER 4: Loyalists in British North America: 1775–1800 111