Interpret the Evidence
Why does Joseph Galloway oppose independence (Document 6.11)? How does he defend Great Britain? Does he believe the colonies owe something to the crown? What does he think will occur if the Continental Congress abandons a moderate course?
Why, according to Charles Inglis, should the colonists reunite with Great Britain (Document 6.12)? Why does he argue that the colonists need the crown? What does he predict will happen if reconciliation does not occur?
How does Hannah Griffits describe Thomas Paine (Document 6.13)? What does she claim is Paine’s motivation for his writing? How does her critique compare to that of Inglis?
What is happening to the loyalists in Philip Dawe’s cartoon (Document 6.14)? What statement do you think the artist intended to make? What does the cartoon reveal about the political climate in the colonies by 1775?
What incident prompted Boston King to make an escape from slavery (Document 6.15)? What conditions did he find in the British camps? What were his experiences once the war ended? Is it accurate to refer to him as a loyalist?
Put It in Context
What did these loyalists share in common? How did they differ? What factors do you think would have made a person more likely to side with Great Britain?
Do you think calls for reconciliation were realistic in 1775? In 1776? Why or why not?