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James Ottis Jr. Speech
James Ottis Jr. made a speech in Philadelphia that criticised this taxing and powers that England had in the Colonies. He criticised how the British could search any item they chose (Nash-Chambers) By making this speech, Ottis cemented the idea in the Colonies of no Taxation without representation. -
Stamp Act enacted
Parliament imposed stamp act on the Colonies to help pay for the war. A tax would be imposed on each piece of paper and when it was paid a stamp would be given to the individual. (Bothwell 35). -
Stamp Act Withdrawn
The Stamp Act was removed by the new Government as a way to set apart the new government and take autonomy out from under the British. It was also pulled out because the British could no longer enforce it and agents who were in charge of it resigned.
(Bothwell 37) -
Arrival of the Army
In November 1768 (Bothwell 38) the British army sent in troops to Boston which started a pattern of escalation of violence. On March 5, 1770, riots in Boston occurred which resulted in the killing of 5 members of a mob who had confronted British troops. (Bothwell 39).This started a pattern of violence towards loyalists in the United States. -
Evacuation of Slaves
Many African Americans who had been enslaved in the South due to the majority of the economy is based on agriculture and in need of this labour, sought a better life. The last governor of Virginia as early as 1775 offered safety and freedom to those who could get to British ships and outposts (Bothwell 54). This evacuation did not necessarily mean that they were loyal to Britain and the King, however, it did constitute a movement of those wishing to leave the United States. -
Battles of Lexington and Concorde
These battles started the war after the Patriots attacked these ports, angering the King. The Loyalists were now forced to take a side. These battles also started evacuations of Boston and other cities on the part of the British (Battles of Lexington and Concord, https://www.britannica.com/event/Battles-of-Lexington-and-Concord) Many being forced to leave due to safety reasons and settled in refugee style camps in the lands still held by Britain. -
End of the War
The ending of the American Revolution saw the colonies stray from Britain and gain autonomy. With this, it would have been thought that the colonies gave these loyalists trouble and ridiculed many of them. However, communication between certain families, especially in the east of Canada continued and many Patriots who had remained behind bought British imports again. Items such as books, China, and wallpaper were all purchased by Americans from Britain. (Bothwell 69) -
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Mass Migration
After the war, loyalists settled in primary the East coast, spreading west into Ontario and through the Niagra region. Canadian land was very cheap and therefore, appealing to many families. (Bothwell 71) They were offered big portions of land including receiving at least a 100 acres of land. ("Upper Canada", https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/upper-canada/) -
Treaty of Paris
The signing of Treaty of Paris by George the Third allowed citizens to choose which citizenship they wanted, the loyalists could reject the new United States by simply moving. (Bothwell 67) By leaving though, many laws were set in place to prevent them from every leaving by their property being confiscated and reputation ruined. (Bothwell 68) -
"UEL"
Lord Dorchester granted Loyalist who had migrated to Canada the ability to use "UEL" United Empire Loyalists to their name.
("Loyalists- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/loyalists/) By granting them this title, it gave the settlers recognition from the British as to their plight and the dangers and troubles that they went through. -
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Late Loyalists
The late loyalists immigrated to Canada mostly for political reasons- leaving to make a statement (Bothwell 72). This mass population increase in Upper Canada from 6 thousand in 1785 to 14 thousand in 1791, and 60 thousand in 1811. (Bothwell 72)
