Colonists+In+Support+of+Great+Britain

Reasons why Loyalists Supported Britain.


 * Heritage, support of your home country and possible family still living in the British isles. Most people living in the colonies had friends, family and other ties Great Britain. They believed that they were British citizens and they had to support their country.


 * Fear of the military might of the reigning world power of the day. The British Army was the strongest army in the world and a fight against them would surely cost the lives of thousands of colonists if they went to war. They were right, since during the Revolutionary war over 25,000 colonists died.

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 * Distrust of the pending government which would come into power if the colonies were to succeed in secession. The colonists did not agree with everything King George was doing, but they knew what kind of a king and government they had, which wasn't that bad compared to the rest of the world. They had no idea what this new government the colonists would want would be like. It could have become worse than what life with King George was like.
 * Being British provided the colonists with protection. There were other countries in the New World including two of the largest military powers in France and Spain. Being part of Great Britain meant that they would have the support of the British Army if they were attacked by any one else.


 * Supporters of the crown might stand to be rewarded for their support, i.e Benedict Arnold (A general in George Washington's army who betrayed the Colonists and was rewarded by Great Britain with land and honors). This gave colonists a reason to stay loyal. Why fight for something you are unsure of when you could stay with what you are used to and possibly be rewarded!


 * Many colonists felt that people talking about revolution were breaking the law and were untrustworthy. Many colonists started stockpiling guns and ammunition in violation of British laws. Many other colonists believed this made them untrustworthy.