Question

critical thinking questions

1. do you think it was harder to be a loyalist in new england or a patriot in the southern colonies? explain your reasoning.
2. lord dunmore’s proclamation promised freedom to enslaved men who fought for the king. do you think this made the revolution more about freedom or more about survival? why?
3. if you had lived in the colonies during this time, which side would you have chosen—patriot, loyalist, or neutral? explain your choice.

Explanation:

1. In New England, Loyalists faced strong Patriot sentiment and social ostracization. In the Southern Colonies, Patriots had to deal with a more divided population and potential threats from Loyalist - aligned groups. However, New England's tightly - knit communities made it very difficult for Loyalists to maintain their stance without facing significant social and sometimes physical consequences.
2. Lord Dunmore's Proclamation added a complex layer to the Revolution. It made the Revolution more about freedom in the sense that it offered enslaved men a chance at liberty, which was a powerful symbol of the ideals of freedom that the Patriots also claimed to be fighting for. At the same time, for the enslaved men, it was also about survival as they were in a desperate situation and fighting for the King offered a possible way out of slavery. But overall, it emphasized the aspect of freedom as it was a direct challenge to the institution of slavery.
3. Choice of side would depend on various factors such as economic interests, family ties, and personal beliefs. Patriots were fighting for independence and self - governance, Loyalists were loyal to the British Crown and its stability, and neutrals wanted to avoid the conflict. For example, someone with strong economic ties to Britain might choose to be a Loyalist, while someone who believed in the ideals of self - determination might choose to be a Patriot.

Answer:

1. It was harder to be a Loyalist in New England. The strong Patriot sentiment and social pressure in New England made it extremely difficult for Loyalists to maintain their stance.
2. It made the Revolution more about freedom. Lord Dunmore's Proclamation offered enslaved men freedom, which was a powerful symbol of the ideals of freedom in the Revolution.
3. Answers may vary. For example, a person who believed in the ideals of self - determination might choose to be a Patriot. A person with strong economic ties to Britain might choose to be a Loyalist. A person who wanted to avoid the conflict might choose to be neutral.