Was Everyone All-in on the American Revolution?
By Nicole Carpenter
For many the War for Independence conjures images of courageous local men defending the ideals of America: liberty and justice for all. The rallying cry for American patriots looking to secede from the British Union was “No taxation without representation” an argument laid out by Patrick Henry, a Virginia Farmer, concisely stating the American colonies opposition to a series of crown taxes meant to help defray costs of the French and Indian War (1754-1763). These included taxes on paper (The Stamp Act); molasses and sugar (The Sugar Act) and Tea (The Tea Act). These tariffs on goods used every day by colonial Americans—as well as business commodities for American merchants–drove the colonies towards revolution. However, this version of history that says all colonial Americans fought in solidarity against England to create our nation is incorrect.
In reality the British colonial subjects living in North America were divided on the best course of action when faced with rising tensions with their government across the Atlantic.
Three Sides of “Revolution”
When asked about the Revolutionary War modern Americans think of the revolutionaries, or Patriots as representing the overwhelming number of Americans. However, only between 30-40 percent of colonists approved of breaking away from the King.
The wealthiest colonists were divided in their support between what they saw as the treasonous activities of the revolutionaries or remaining loyal to the crown. Tories, Loyalists, and King’s men were those who wished to remain subjects of Great Britain, representing an estimated 20 percent of the population. They often advocated for reform to controversial legislation rather than all out revolt.
But the real bit of hidden history is that the majority of colonists did not choose a side, choosing instead to remain neutral and continuing with their lives largely unaffected. There was also a significant population who were not given a voice—enslaved Africans and African Americans, Indigenous peoples, and women. There are many examples of individuals from these groups who did speak up—and acted on both sides—but by far were—and remain—overlooked or forgotten.
Those Who Fought for Freedom
The way American Patriots are usually depicted is also a far cry from the truth. The so-called “Founding Fathers” are normally thought of as older men, but the average signer of the Declaration of Independence was 44 years old, and many of the key figures were in their 20s or 30s in 1776—including Benedict Arnold, 35; Thomas Jefferson, 33; Alexander Hamilton, 21; and the Marquis de Lafayette, 18.
It wasn’t only men but women like Sybil Ludington, Deborah Sampson, and Phillis Wheatley, who took action during the revolution. When her father, Colonel Henry Ludington, was called upon to help defend Danbury’s supply stores against British invasion in April 1777, it was left to Sybil to ride through the night and muster patriot soldiers in Durham and Putnam Counties, New York. Although her ride was twice as far as Paul Revere’s famous ride and Ludington completed her circuit where Revere did not, her bravery was not extolled in her time.
Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to fight, and despite being shot served for over a year and received a small army pension after the war. Boston Poet Phillis Wheatly didn’t take up physical arms but used her education to express her support for the fight for freedom and against bondage—a topic which she was personally familiar with as an enslaved woman.
What Can We Take Away?
As we draw closer to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, it remains imperative to confront the realities of the revolution. Colonists were divided over their disapproval of what they saw as an oppressive government led by a tyrannical ruler but, as in our own current political atmosphere, most chose to stay out of the political debate except for a vocal minority on both sides who monopolized the conversation. In America, national divide has historic precedent, and the United States has never been more ideologically divided as it is today.
Ultimately, the United States was created through the actions of those fighting for the rights outlined in the Declaration of Independence—individuals who many considered “traitors” in their own time. Uniting to stand against injustice, misinformation, and bigotry is the only way to create a system that future generations will remember as revolutionary.
Confronting the divide during the revolution and today highlights the importance of engagement, of getting involved, of taking a stand. Avoiding action, as many colonists chose, allows others to make a choice without consent. Your voice is lost in the critical moments taking place in our current social climate if you choose to remain silent.
Only by remembering and emulating those who stood against tyranny can Americans, perhaps, uphold the belief “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
To learn more about the local confrontation during the revolution visit the Museums “Action In Westport” mini documentary on YouTube or watch below.
Join us in-person for programming related to our regions Colonial—and often revolutionary—past.