Who Were the Loyalists

Over a period of two years twenty thousand loyalist settlers moved to Nova Scotia, many of "whom have a natural desire for own separate identity" . A simplistic and traditional view of the United Empire Loyalists is that they were self sacrificing people who chose to remain faithful to their British heritage rather than become tainted by the new faith of Republicanism. A closer look reveals that their rejection of the new nation forms the roots of another everlasting Canadian characteristic - that of anti Americanism. Men such as Edward Winslow, James Simcoe, and Charles Inglis would greatly influence the shaping of this new emerging society, but their interests were questionable.

The loyalists are said to have contributed greatly to the development of an Anglican Canadian society. Firstly, the loyalists created an unexpected stream of settlements along the St. Lawrence that is west of the French settlement. If the loyalists had not fled the area of Nova Scotia, this region may have remained in the hands of Great Britain's control much longer. Also this land would be free for the Americans to expand northwards. Most importantly, of all the loyalists are said to the founders of Canada, as "they did maintain the tie with

As well as changing the physical and structural shape of Canada, the "loyalist character differentiated Canada from America" This was important as it also separated Canadian and American values towards class and politics. Although it may be argued the loyalists brought some American influence with them to Canadian soil. Even though the loyalists were of very different backgrounds, they were all connected by the common bond of seeking a more stable environment in which they could settle. They sought stability by favoring the existing institutions, which held power, rather than seeking new unfamiliar political values. This would further lead the attraction of like-minded emigrants from Great Britain who sought the comfort of familiar institutions; therefore those fleeing England for political and cultural change were likely to arrive in the United States.

The settlement of loyalists in Nova Scotia led to huge population increases. The loyalists that arrived were of many backgrounds; many were from very educated backgrounds and hoped to find purpose for the knowledge that they had learned. Edward Winslow, was born in Massachusetts and educated at Harvard. On arrival to Nova Scotia, Winslow "found the country crowded and expensive, and yet a place of opportunity for a man - like himself- of talent and ambition" . From living in Nova Scotia through the arrival of many loyalists, Winslow observed the lack of food and shelter for many arriving. To resolve this problem, Winslow saw it necessary to create a separate Government, which would later lead to the creation of New Brunswick. Winslow saw many of the problems that the loyalists would face in carving a wilderness into a home, especially those who had been of high society previously. He, as a loyalist himself saw the need to create New Brunswick as this "would produce positions of responsibilities for his friends and himself". Winslow's reasons for requesting a separate colony were firstly to stop the suffering of loyal British subjects. Secondly he felt by separating the two groups of loyalists, military men and public officers, it would create peace as "together - wrangle