Patriots

(noun)

In the context of the American Revolution, the colonists who rebelled against British control and declared their independence at the United States of America in July 1776. They are also referred to as Revolutionaries, Continentals, Rebels, or American Whigs.

Related Terms

Examples of Patriots in the following topics:

  • The Patriots

    • Patriots were members of the 13 British colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution.
    • These Patriots rejected the lack of representation of colonists in the British Parliament and the imposition of British taxes.
    • During the Revolutionary War, Patriots sought to gain formal acknowledgment of this policy through independence.
    • Patriots were also known as American Whigs, Revolutionaries, Congress-Men, and Rebels.
    • The Sons of Liberty were the earliest Patriots and incited the Boston Tea Party.

  • The PATRIOT and Freedom Acts

    • The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act), also commonly known as the Patriot Act, is an Act of the U.S.
    • The Patriot Act came as a response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th and included:
    • This highly controversial document was quickly dubbed "PATRIOT II" or "Son of PATRIOT" by the media and organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
    • The USA PATRIOT Act has generated a great deal of controversy since its enactment.
    • Identify the key provisions of the Patriot Act and the controversies that followed from it

  • Equality and its Limits

    • Americans remained Loyalists or joined the Patriot cause based on which side they thought would best promote their interests.
    • As part of his study, he contrasted these traits to those characteristic of the Patriots.
    • Labaree also wrote that Loyalists were pessimists who lacked the confidence in the future displayed by the Patriots.
    • Like the Loyalists, the leaders of the Patriots were men of educated, propertied classes.
    • Most yeomen farmers, craftsmen, and small merchants joined the Patriot cause to demand more political equality.

  • Burgoyne's Army and the Battle of Saratoga

    • General John Burgoyne, in an attempt to isolate the northern colonies, was defeated by Patriot troops in the Battle of Saratoga.
    • In the fall of 1777, the Battles of Saratoga changed the course of the American War of Independence, giving the Patriots the advantage.
    • The Patriots also destroyed food sources and other provisions, limiting British access to local resources.
    • Patriot militia forces continued to arrive, swelling the size of the American army to over 15,000 men.
    • In October 1777, General Burgoyne surrendered his Army to the Patriots at Saratoga.

  • Britain's War

    • These German soldiers became known as "Hessians" to the Patriots and were viewed as mercenaries.
    • Many speculated that he harbored sympathies for the Patriots due to the influence of his American wife.
    • Therefore, many Patriot defeats were quickly reversed on the ground when Patriot militia occupied formerly captured land because British regulars could not sufficiently cover the area.
    • Because Loyalists came from the same communities as Patriots, extreme measures could not be taken on the ground for fear of alienating local support for the British crown.
    • Nonetheless, many neutral colonists were driven to the Patriot cause as a result of heavy brutality, making a single American victory on the battlefield more psychologically significant to Patriot morale and support than a string of British successes in the long term.

  • The Loyalists

    • Although some Canadians took up arms in support of the Patriots, the majority remained loyal to the King.
    • The Patriots mirrored this tactic by offering freedom to slaves serving in the Continental Army.
    • By July 4, 1776, Patriots controlled the majority of territory within the 13 colonies and had expelled all royal officials.
    • For example, during early 1775 in South Carolina back-country, Loyalist recruitment outpaced that of the Patriots.
    • This image from the early 20th century depicts the friction between Loyalist and Patriot sympathizers.

  • Nonconsumption and the Daughters of Liberty

    • They were recognized as patriotic heroines for their success, making America less dependent on British textiles.
    • In the countryside, while Patriots supported the non-importation movements of 1765 and 1769, the Daughters of Liberty continued to support American resistance.
    • In 1774, the Patriot women helped influence a decision made by the Continental Congress to boycott all British goods.
    • Patriotic women like this used their spinning and weaving skills to reduce the colonies' dependency on British textiles.

  • The First Continental Congress

    • About seven to eight thousand patriots served on these committees at the colonial and local levels.
    • These patriots comprised most of the leadership in colonial communities while the loyalists were excluded.
    • The Committees promoted patriotism and home manufacturing by advising Americans to avoid luxuries.

  • Nonmaterial Culture

    • For example, patriotism is a type of value, and is therefore part of non-material culture.
    • But patriotism can be embodied in elements of material culture, such as flags or bumper stickers.
    • Flying the national flag on a holiday is a norm, but it exhibits patriotism, which is a value.

  • Slavery and the Revolution

    • Freedom was the main motivation for the black slave whether joining either the Patriot or British army.
    • Some African Americans were captured from the Royal Navy and used by the Patriots on their vessels.
    • This action was adopted by the Continental Congress when they took over the Patriot Army.