Colonists living on the western frontier not a part of the political quarrels A fight for independence would expose them to Indian attack since fighting would draw men away from the defense of the frontier. Many frontier settlers did not support the fight for independence. A quarter of the colonists remained loyal to Great Britain and the king; Patriots called them Loyalists. Loyalists were strong in southern colonies. Loyalist sympathies were strong among people who had been government officials or belonged to the Anglican Church. Patriots harassed Loyalists. Reactions to Independence Loyalists fought with the British. Others left the country for other British lands. Some simply lived quietly and avoided politics. After the American Revolution ended, perhaps 100,000 Loyalists left the United States, mainly to settle in Canada.

The People behind the American Revolution Continental Army Strengths Strong military leadership Fighting on home territory Alliance with France Weaknesses Small, untrained military Shortages of resources Weak central government British Army Strengths Well-trained military Ample resources Alliances with Loyalists Weaknesses Fighting in unfamiliar territory Fighting far from home

The People behind the American Revolution Women ’ s Roles Active in boycotts and other protests Cared for wounded in their homes Raised money to supply the army with food and clothing At home, women knit wool stockings and made bandages for the troops. Some melted down their pewter pots and pitchers to make bullets. As in all wars, women kept their homes, farms, and shops running while the men were at war. African American Roles Free and enslaved fought on both sides of the war. Some offers of freedom in exchange for military service came from both sides. Continental Army ’ s need for soldiers overcame prejudice. New England regiments had the most African Americans. African American soldiers generally received the same pay, clothing, and rations as whites. Most had menial duties, were kept at low ranks, and were not encouraged to re-enlist.

The People behind the American Revolution The Role of Native Americans Four of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League helped the British. Oneidas and Tuscaroras sided with the Americans. On the frontiers, Loyalists and Native Americans sometimes fought together. –In the mountains of Virginia and the Carolinas, the Cherokees attacked some settlements. –Patriot militias fought back fiercely and tried to force the Cherokees to move west.

Revolution Changes America Women ’ s rights Equality did not include American women. The words in the Declaration of Independence applied only to white males. Married women still could not sign contracts or own property. The law stated that a married woman ’ s property belonged to her husband. African Americans Many African Americans who had fought for the Patriot cause believed they had earned their freedom. In 1780 Pennsylvania passed a law for the gradual abolition of slavery. During the 1780s the New England states also abolished slavery. After the war, both Virginia and Maryland made it easier to grant freedom to enslaved people. Several southern states also passed laws limiting the slave trade.

Revolution Changes America Impact on Religion Before the war, many colonies had official churches that everyone paid taxes to support. New laws endorsed a separation of church and state. For the Roman Catholic Church, the Revolutionary War led to a certain amount of acceptance. Catholics had often faced prejudice, but the arrival of French Catholic soldiers helped change many people ’ s attitudes. A New Nation The war left the new nation with some problems. The Revolution had cost a lot of money, and Congress had borrowed from foreign sources and American citizens. Now the money needed to be repaid. Setting up a central government to deal with debt and other national issues was going to be complicated. The Continental Congress would meet again to discuss economic issues and a new system of government.