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Patriot or Loyalist, Which one are You? Based on the events of: January 5, 1781 and the year of 1778 in the Southern Colonies

Hostility between the patriots and loyalists used to be minimal, but as times get harder they are starting to choose sides. The violent acts from both sides are getting to be too violent for some. Many are changing sides to protect their families and even their lives. There have been many events to persuade them to choose aside. Two events however, have seem to really put people in a frenzy. That would be the burning of Richmond and Clinton’s March.

There are accounts that say that loyalists were the ones to start it. There are also accounts that say patriots started it. The first event is the burning at Richmond. A loyalist troop marched in Richmond in the dead of night and burned the town one house at a time. Many patriots died including women and children. They did this to stop the patriots from being independent. The Mother country was making a fortune off the colonies and could not afford to lose them. England soon found other ways to make money so they no longer needed the colonies. Winning the war was no longer important to the British. So in Richmond the Loyalists surprised the patriots.There was not enough time to fight back. At Clinton’s March Henry Clinton, a British commander- In-chief, lead his troops through town and tried to persuade patriots to be loyalists. They would yell out promises, for example “if you stay Loyal to the mother country we can offer you safety and prosperity.”. If the patriots became loyalists then the British would have numbers which is key in war.- Christa

The southern colonies are home to the Loyalists of this country, but because of recent attacks many Loyalists have begun to change their minds. The British troops have been reeking havoc all over the colonies; starting with the areas around Savannah Georgia. They then have headed north to Charleston and Camden, South Carolina. ( Our Georgia History) A few years ago, General Benedict Arnold made his way up the James River to burn down Richmond. It seems as if Britain's target is the south. The past few years have been nothing near peaceful. " Great Britain has now a hundred enemies, where it had one before." said a Loyalists a few days ago. (American Nation) And that statement is most definitely true, England has been accumulating enemies as fast as they have invaded our land.

The rivalry between the Loyalists and Patriots has always been known, but some riots seem to be getting out of hand. Each side has burned the others farms, launched raids, killed civilians and tortured captured prisoners. Up to twenty percent of the loyalists have fled the country to protect themselves and their families. Loyalists have also joined British troops to keep them safe. A few years ago General Benedict Arnold arrived with over one thousand six-hundred loyalists in Richmond. Thomas Jefferson, the governor of Virginia, was aware of this of course. He did everything in his power to prepare for attack, but Richmond was still helpless. Arnold took over Richmond, burning stores, and eventually, though the fighting of the colonial militia stalled them, burned the whole city down. ( History Made Every Day) That was only one of the many events that has caused some to hate England. Another was the march of Sir Henry Clinton. Clinton took a troop of Loyalists and marched them through cities, persuading citizens to join the British. He made promises that he would help them out in these hard time.s Many people thought this was unfair, although many thought he wouldn't follow through any how. He was was recently made leader of the British army, and who knows what is yet to come. ( Welcome to the Patriot Resource)

These events that have been making colonists pick sides have happened at various times in the past few years. The impact they have made on us cannot all be defined by just one event. Sir Henry Clinton was made ruler of the British troops in early March, and has been invading our territory ever since. Clinton's successes all over the southern colonies have mostly taken place in 1778, and lasted till December of that year. ( Our Georgia History) The British soldiers, led by Benedict Arnold, burned Richmond on the fifth of January in 1781.( History Made Every Day)

Many have lost lives due to this fighting between the Patriots and Loyalists, and many more will continue to. This war is irreversible, and staying with one side during the battle could cost you your life. Who knows whose beliefs are right? I do not believe there is a right or wrong opinion, it is just a matter of picking the side that will keep you and your family safe. -Claire

Reporters: Claire Mulvaney and Christa Barnoski

Works Cited 1. "Benedict Arnold Captures and Destroys Richmond — History.com This Day in History — 1/5/1781." //History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History//. Web. 03 Jan. 2011. . 2."The Patriot Resource: Sir Henry Clinton." //Welcome to The Patriot Resource//. Web. 03 Jan. 2011. . 3.Davidson, James West. //The American Nation.// Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. Print. 4.Golden, Randy. "Britain Attacks Georgia." //Our Georgia History//. Web. 03 Jan. 2011. []. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">5. Nakate, Shashank. "Facts about The American Revolution." //Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web//. Web. 04 Jan. 2011. []. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">6."American Revolution Facts- Freedom Struggle Of America - The Truth About American Revolutionary War." //Memorial Day Tribute - Memorial Day 2008 - Memorial Day Celebrations 2008//. Web. 04 Jan. 2011. <http://www.thememorialdaytribute.com/american-revolution-facts.html>.