HT ___

Name: _____________________________________________________ Period: ______ Date: ____________________

Loyalists Source Analysis

Central Historical Question: Why did some colonists oppose independence?

Document A: The True Interest of America Impartially Stated, 1776

Suppose we were to revolt from Great Britain, declare ourselves

independent, and set up a government of our own—what would the
consequence be? My blood runs chill when I think of the disasters and
the complicated evils that will follow.
This war will cause devastation and ruin along the coast of America. So
far, Britain has not shown her full power. The number of British troops
and warships currently in the colonies is not that much more than
what we had here in time of peace.
But as soon as we declare independence, ruthless war with all its
horrors, will ravage our once happy land. Our coasts and harbors will
be ruined, and our ships taken. Rivers of blood will be spilled, and
thousands of people will be reduced to beggary (poor) and
wretchedness (miserable).
By declaring independence, we would instantly lose all assistance from
our friends in England. They will stop supporting us, for they would be
seen as rebels and traitors, and would be treated accordingly.
The only European power from which we can possibly receive
assistance, is France. But France is now at peace with Great Britain.
Would France risk that peace and another war with England to aid and
protect these Colonies when there is nothing in it for them?

Source Note: Charles Inglis, an Anglican minister (Church of England), wrote a pamphlet in
response to Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” called “The True Interest of America Impartially
Stated, 1776.”

Vocabulary Term Definition

ravage totally destroy
impartially fair or objective
 HT ___
Name: _____________________________________________________ Period: ______ Date: ____________________

Loyalists Source Analysis

Central Historical Question: Why did some colonists oppose independence?

Document B: Pennsylvania Packet (Newspaper)

January 2, 1775
My Friends and Countrymen,
This once howling wilderness has been changed into a rapidly growing
country. But, isn’t this due to the way the colonies have been helped
by Great Britain from the beginning? Isn’t our growth a result of Great
Britain’s willingness to encourage our industry and protect us from
foreign countries? If so, surely some degree of gratitude would be
appropriate.
We enjoyed peace and security under Great Britain’s protection before
the mistaken system of taxation was put into place. We miss those
happy days that were the golden age of America.
Let us then, my friends and countrymen, be patient and avoid any
more inflammatory publications (like pamphlets and newspapers) that
are disrespectful to our most gracious King. Let us look forward to a
happy ending of our current arguments, and a warm and friendly
reconciliation with our mother country (Great Britain).

Source Note: The letter above was published by an anonymous writer in a Pennsylvania
newspaper in 1775.

Vocabulary Term Definition

inflammatory causing violent feelings
reconciliation rejoining together peacefully; making-up after a fight
 HT ___
Name: _____________________________________________________ Period: ______ Date: ____________________

Loyalists Source Analysis

Central Historical Question: Why did some colonists oppose independence?

Document A Document B
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
Sourcing: Based on the ________________________________ ________________________________
sourcing information, ________________________________ ________________________________
what can you predict this
source will say about ________________________________ ________________________________
declaring independence? ________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
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• ___________________________ • ___________________________

Close Reading: What are ___________________________ ___________________________

two reasons this author • ___________________________ • ___________________________
gives for why American
colonists should be loyal ___________________________ ___________________________
to England? Evidence: _______________________ Evidence: _______________________
Provide evidence to _______________________________ _______________________________
support your answer. _______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Corroboration: Based on __________________________________________________________________
these two letters, how __________________________________________________________________
did Loyalists feel about
England’s rule over the __________________________________________________________________
colonies? __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
 HT ___
Name: _____________________________________________________ Period: ______ Date: ____________________

Loyalists Source Analysis

Central Historical Question: Why did some colonists oppose independence?
Your Answer: Why did some colonists oppose independence? Summarize what you
learned from the documents in your own words.
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Evidence from Document A: Evidence from Document B:

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 HT ___
Directions: Take notes in the chart below during the class discussion of the sources.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST MINE THAT ARE STRONG ARGUMENTS ARGUMENTS THAT SUPPORT MINE THAT I DID NOT THINK OF
 HT ___
Name: _____________________________________________________ Period: ______ Date: ____________________

Loyalists Source Analysis

Writing Prompt: Were the arguments against independence presented by the
Loyalists reasonable?
Directions: Use the documents to support your answer to the writing prompt above with evidence.
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Did the writer… Yes No

Stay on topic?
Seem aware of the audience?
Provide supporting details/examples?
Organize their ideas?
Use transitions to connect ideas/events?
Have an effective lead and closure?
Use a variety of sentence lengths?
Use specific word choice and descriptive language?
Check that the paper flows from beginning to end?
Write complete sentences without fragments and run-ons?
Use correct capitalization and punctuation?
Use resources to spell words correctly?