During the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), approximately 100,000 loyalists, also known as tories or royalists, left the United States for various British territories, including Canada, the West Indies, Great Britain, and Florida. This mass migration was known as the Loyalist Migration of 1776 or the Great Migration.
Reasons for Migration
The Loyalist Migration was primarily driven by the patriots' victory in the American Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation. The patriots held strong anti-British sentiments and viewed the loyalists as traitors. As a result, many loyalists faced persecution, discrimination, and even violence.
Loyalists were often stripped of their property, denied civil rights, and forced to swear oaths of allegiance to the new government. Some were even tarred and feathered or exiled. These harsh treatments prompted loyalists to seek refuge elsewhere.
Regions of Settlement
The majority of loyalists chose to relocate to Canada, which remained under British control. The largest concentrations settled in what are now Ontario, New Brunswick, and Quebec. The British government provided land grants and other incentives to encourage their migration.
Other loyalists went to the West Indies, where many found success as planters or merchants. Some African American loyalists, who were promised freedom in exchange for their support, also settled in the West Indies or Britain.
A smaller number of loyalists returned to Great Britain. Some were wealthy landowners who desired to return to their ancestral lands. Others were former British military officers or government officials who sought employment in the British armed forces or civil service.
Impact of Migration
The Loyalist Migration had a profound impact on both the United States and Canada. In the United States, the departure of loyalists left behind abandoned property, disrupted communities, and weakened the economy. However, it also helped solidify the nation's independence and create a more homogeneous society.
In Canada, the influx of loyalists contributed to the development of a new British-Canadian identity. The loyalists brought with them their British traditions, customs, and political views, which shaped Canadian society and politics. The migration also led to the establishment of new settlements, such as Saint John, New Brunswick, and Kingston, Ontario.
The Loyalist Migration was a significant event in the history of North America that left a lasting legacy on the United States and Canada.