Description
Thousands of British American mainland colonists rejected the War for American Independence. Shunning rebel violence as unnecessary, unlawful, and unnatural, they emphasized the natural ties of blood, kinship, language, and religion that united the colonies to Britain. They hoped that British military strength would crush the minority rebellion and free the colonies to renegotiate their return to the empire.
Of course the loyalists were too American to be of one mind. This is a story of how a cross-section of colonists flocked to the British headquarters of New York City to support their ideal of reunion. Despised by the rebels as enemies or as British appendages, New York's refugees hoped to partner with the British to restore peaceful government in the colonies. The British confounded their expectations by instituting martial law in the city and marginalizing loyalist leaders. Still, the loyal Americans did not surrender their vision but creatively adapted their rhetoric and accommodated military governance to protect their long-standing bond with the mother country. They never imagined that allegiance to Britain would mean a permanent exile from their homes.
Author: Ruma Chopra
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Published: 03/01/2013
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.04lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.72d
ISBN13: 9780813934402
ISBN10: 0813934400
BISAC Categories:
- History | United States | Revolutionary Period (1775-1800)
- History | United States | State & Local | Middle Atlantic (DC, DE, MD,
- History | United States | Colonial Period (1600-1775)
About the Author
Ruma Chopra is Assistant Professor in the History Department at San Jose State University.
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