Mass Migration

In the 13 Colonies, those who remained loyal to Britain were called the United Empire Loyalists Many Loyalists had been persecuted by rebel forces during the American Revolution American Revolution cartoon Most Loyalists were forced to flee their land, homes, and possessions

Some came to BNA (British North America) soon after the American Revolution began Most were evacuated by ship from New York in 1783 & 1784 when the war was over Some Loyalists went back to Britain,\, Jamaica, or to other British colonies

The Loyalists reasons for migrating to BNA varied: Some had roots in Britain and wanted to live under British rule Life was intolerable for some in the 13 colonies (harassment) Many women & children had to migrate because fathers or husbands decided to move Some Loyalists were conscientious objectors – who for religious reasons would not fight Others were “land Loyalists” who wanted to take advantage of the free land in BNA

Tarring and Feathering to inflict pain and humiliation

Wealthy & poor Young & old Male & Female European African American First Nations Joseph Brant – First Nations

The Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy were also Loyalist refugees The Six Nations were divided: 2 Nations sided with the rebels (Tuscarora & Oneida) 4 Nations sided with the British (Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, & Seneca) The First Nations Loyalists were fighting for their communities’ survival. Battles took place on their homeland, and the causalities were often their families Despite their loyalty, First Nations peoples were ignored in the Treaty of Paris in 1783

Near the end of the American Revolution, Great Britain issued a proclamation promising freedom and safety to any slaves who deserted their American masters Approximately 3,000 free Black Loyalists- as well as hundreds of slaves migrated to BNA Sadly when they arrived they were marginalized, attacked, harassed, and given the worst land available In 1792 ~ 1,200 Black Loyalists left Nova Scotia for Africa

Between : around 35, 000 Loyalist families settled in Nova Scotia 10, 000 Loyalist families settled in Quebec In total, close to 100,000 Loyalists migrated to BNA during these years

In Nova Scotia the Loyalists quickly outnumbered the rest of the population In 1784, the area near the Bay of Fundy was separated from Nova Scotia to become the colony of New Brunswick

The Constitutional Act, 1791 The arrival of the Loyalists changed BNA’s demographics: 1) Increased English-speaking population 2) Increased demand for agricultural land Sir Guy Carleton decided to revamp the Quebec Act. In its place: Constitutional Act of 1791

The Constitutional Act recognized that there were two dominant groups in the colony: English and French Each group had their own religious, legal, and political outlooks, as well as traditions Therefore Quebec was divided into 2 colonies: Upper Canada (now ONT) and Lower Canada (now QUE) (Named after direction of St. Lawrence)

Each of the Canada's could maintain its own language regulations, laws, land-owning system, and religious beliefs: Each area had a separate Appointed Governor and Council Each had an Elected Assembly It provided a British legal and land holding system for Upper Canada Preserved French Catholic rights in lower Canada Each of the Canadas had a capital city: Lower Canada=Quebec City, & Upper Canada=Newark