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Tories

The American Revolution was fought based on a unique principle of the time, self-government by the people, for the people, without any system of kings and liberty for all individuals. Nonetheless, the patriot, or Whig, causes that pushed the American colonies to rebel were not shared by all individuals. Even in the colonies, many individuals preferred the loyalist, or Tory, view that opposed the attacks toward Britain and British policy, “When the tensions of the imperial crisis finally sparked armed revolt in 1775, about a quarter of the American people chose the loyalist road” (Unger 81). However, various reports suggest that the real number of loyalists in the Colonies was not so high, “About 16% of the total American population were colonists who did not want to break away from Britain” (The British 1).

Of course, the main argument between the two sides was the Colonial attempt to win political autonomy from Britain. Yet, the catalyst for war between the two sides emerged with the passing of the Stamp Act which burdened the colonies with taxes on everything from college diplomas to dice and newspapers. Taxation without representation was intolerable to the Colonies as is evidenced by this excerpt from the Stamp Act Congress, “That the only representatives of the people of these colonies, are persons chosen therein, by themselves; and that no taxes ever have been, or can be constitutionally imposed on them, but by their respective legislature” (Unger 83).

Of course, nearly a decade of contentious interaction would transpire between the Colonies and Britain before the war, and most of the hostilities were calmed by British concessions, like the repeal of the Stamp Act. The adoption of the Declaration of Independence was the point of no return in the American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson levied charges against the King of Great Britain, including obstruction of justice, appoin

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Tories. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 22:34, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1686519.html