Was The American Revolution Revolutionary

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The American Revolution will be remembered as one of the most significant events in the history of the United States and throughout the rest of the world as well. The British colonies located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean transformed into a global powerhouse within the years following their independence, and the world has not been the same since. When looking back at how truly groundbreaking the war for freedom was, it is simply not enough to evaluate how the lives of the Patriots and how the lives of those living in Britain changed after the last shots were fired. In order for an event to be considered revolutionary, there must be a complete change from previous ways and leaving a new foundation in its place. The Revolution touched …show more content…
But there is a group of individuals that have been overlooked and lost in the shadows when discussing the true consequences of the Revolution: loyalists. This collection of pro-Britain supporters found themselves in the path of a wave that was demolishing everything in its way; the mid to late 18th century was full of rebellion within the colonies and there was nothing they could do about it. The American Revolution changed the lives of most loyalists forever as they were faced with daunting challenges as to how to continue with their lives after Britain’s defeat. These people were on the wrong side of the Atlantic and on the wrong side of a population fresh off of victory in war. However for those who were able to escape and find safety elsewhere, their moral story is quite simple; “although we cast the Loyalists as losers, they ultimately won the original goal of the colonial resistance: exemption from British taxation while remaining loyal to the …show more content…
The American Revolution had left many homeless and scrambling for safety. However despite all that had happened, loyalists still had unconditional devotion for their country. While seeking refuge in other parts of the British Empire they still “expressed their views passively and actively: they refused to swear loyalty oaths to the new assemblies; they moved to cities and regions under British control.” The allegiance expressed for Britain was as strong as when they first got to the colonies. Perhaps their faithfulness grew after they were exiled from America because they needed Britain then more than ever. When a well-respected British Reverend named Jacob Bailey and his family were forced to leave the colonies, they were overjoyed to be back in British territory again after arriving in Nova Scotia. Bailey knew his family were back in the arms of the nation who had supported them all their lives as this is why “Bailey's heart swelled when he saw the British flags in Halifax harbor.” The war may have drove loyalists out of their homes and forced them to leave everything behind but it could not change how they felt towards their mother-country, proof that the American Revolution was not a completely transformative event for