452 How Everyday Loyalists Experienced the Revolution

We often ask why some Americans chose to remain loyal to the British and why they did not want to seek independence. But the question some Americans asked at the time of the Revolution focused more on navigating daily life: How could they protect their families, property, and honor when neighbors, committees, and crowds decided what side they were on? Today we’re joined by three guests who will help us investigate the American Revolution through Loyalist eyes and explore how Loyalists experienced the American Revolution. Timothy Compeau, an Associate Professor of History at Huron University College at Western University in London, Ontario; Bonnie Huskins who teaches history at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick; and Kacy Tillman, a professor of English and Writing at the University of Tampa. Timothy's Book | Bonnie's Work | Kacy's Book Show notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/452 EPISODE OUTLINE 00:00:00 Introduction 00:06:07 The Origins and Definitions of the Term “Loyalist” 00:11:11 Common Misconceptions about Loyalists 00:22:52 How Communities Identified their Loyalist Neighbors 00:31:34 How Everyday Loyalists Experienced the Revolution 00:40:19 Women Loyalists and the Fear of Violence 00:50:40 Black Loyalists and the Search for Freedom 01:00:05 Post-War Animosities Between Loyalists and Revolutionaries 01:09:12 What We Still Get Wrong About the Revolution RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES 🎧 Episode 085: American Loyalists in Canada 🎧 Episode 126: The Reintegration of American Loyalists 🎧 Episode 380: The Tory's Wife 🎧 Episode 421: Loyalism and Revolution in Georgia 🎧 Episode 441: The Escapes of David George SUPPORT OUR WORK 🎁 Make a Donation to Ben Franklin’s World REQUEST A TOPIC 📨 Topic Request Form 📫 [email protected] WHEN YOU'RE READY 🗞️ BFW Gazette Newsletter 👩‍💻 Join the BFW Listener Community 🌍 Join the History Explorers Club TAKE THE QUIZ 🧭 Discover How You Explore History (under 2 minutes) 👉 https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/quiz LISTEN 🎧 🍎 Apple Podcasts 💚 Spotify 🎶 Amazon Music 🛜 Pandora CONNECT 🦋 Liz on Bluesky 👩‍💻 Liz on LinkedIn 🛜 Liz’s Website SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💚 Leave a rating on Spotify *Book links are affiliate links. Every purchase supports the podcast.