Re: Stars and Stripes: "The whole city, from every side, was fighting"

[Michael Hoover <HooverM@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>>> jdevine@xxxxxxx 12/30/2004 12:32:47 PM >>>
only about 1/3 of the colonists were actively opposed to the Brits,
while 1/3 supported the Brits, and about 1/3 were "neutral."
JD
<<<<<>>>>>

about 20% of white population guestimated to have remained actively
loyal to crown, about 50% to have been neutral...

revolutionary ideal was militia based on universal obligation to serve,
reality was largely army of poor either forced to accept or responsive
to financial incentives - states filled quotas with slaves, indentured
servants (about 10% of population at time), and propertyless day
laborers...

more and more colonists became less and less enthusiastic as war
dragged on, ultimately, british public opinion deserted war faster than
colonist public opinion...   michael hoover

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