What Are The British Loyalists

Milestone Three Britain was viewed by loyalists as their protector of both lands and economy. The British military protected the borders of the Americas and the shipping routes on which they used for trading. The belief that " Agriculture, commerce and industry would resume their wonted vigor"(Inglis, 1776, p. 3). could not continue if the rebellion continued. Boasting the largest navy Britain established and protected trade routes throughout the world was what many believed is what the continent needed to flourish. The pragmatic view of cost alone of providing their own protection was viewed to justify the taxes that were imposed by parliament as being more cost effective. Inglis stated " The protection of our trade while connected with …show more content…
The reverend Myles Cooper eloquently stated "poor, busy, factious empty things, who nothing know of courts or kings; Who lords or commons ne’er have seen, but think they’re like committee-men ;by rote, like clam’rous parrots prate of trade, revenue, church, and state(Cooper, 1775, p. 2)". The thought among loyalists of a form of government other than the matriarchal rule and parliament would not be able to succeed. A majority colonists had long since identified themselves as British, with likeminded goals, principals, traditions, and government. The past failed attempts of kings in England to change toward democracy and resulting in Britain 's own civil war in 1660, and subsequent failure in a republican government. Those who supported the rebellion only a few years later to want the restoration of royalty and parliaments constitution restored(Inglis, 1776) The history of these events in loyalists eyes proved to them that a democratic government would fail only to leave the colonies worse off than they were before. As skirmishes and small rebellions arose in the north and the patriots far outnumbered loyalists, in the south more colonists remained loyalists many skeptical of the motives of those rebelling in the north. As these events unfolded the order and day to day activities in the south suffered causing residents to turn toward the existing governors to restore order to the communities(Mason, 1990). Patriots alike in the south worried that a change in government would only give power to those in the north and that the democracy could prove to be unsuccessful. Many choosing to go into hiding than express these concerns publicly(McDonnell, 2004). Across the colonies loyalists though that a democratic form of government would be incompatible for the people and that America was