Loyalist

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Loyalist (disambiguation).

In general, a loyalist is one who maintains loyalty to an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during war or revolutionary change. In modern English usage, the most common application is to loyalty to the British Crown.

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[edit] Historical loyalism

[edit] United States

Further information: United Empire Loyalist; Loyalist (American Revolution)

There are three main groups of loyalists within North America; United Empire Loyalists, who claim descent from inhabitants of the American Colonies that remained loyal to the British Crown leading up to and after the American Revolution , the Black Loyalists, and those who carry on their loyalty and support for the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.[citation needed] This second group shares more in common with loyalists found throughout the United Kingdom. Other groups include the Quebec Loyalists, who unite around their common heritage within New France prior to the ceding of the colony to the British.[citation needed]The American Revolution was forced out of country and resettled in Canada, given the title of United Empire Loyalist.

[edit] 18th century Ireland

The term loyalist was first used in Irish politics in the 1790s, to refer to Protestants who opposed Catholic Emancipation, the extension of the franchise of the Irish Parliament and greater independence for Ireland from Britain (see Ireland 1691-1801). Liberal Protestants who supported those reforms were known as patriots. The terms may have derived from the American Revolution. Prominent loyalists included John Foster, John Fitzgibbon and John Beresford. In the subsequent Irish Rebellion of 1798, ultra loyalists were those most opposed to the United Irishmen, who wanted an independent Irish Republic. Loyalists founded the Orange Order in 1795 and served in the Yeomanry militia, which helped put down the rebellion. Some loyalists, such as Richard Musgrave, considered the rebellion a Catholic plot to drive Protestants out of Ireland.

[edit] England

Nearly every English and Welsh county formed a Loyalist Association with the first being formed in Westminster on 20 November 1792. Loyalist associations were created in order to counter a perceived threat from radical societies.[1]

[edit] Australia

Sydney and Parramatta Loyalist Associations of approximately 50 members each were formed in 1804 for similar reasons as the English ones and helped put down the Castle Hill convict rebellion in the same year.[2]

[edit] Modern loyalism in Great Britain and Ireland

[edit] Northern Ireland

Main article: Ulster loyalism

A loyalist in Northern Ireland is a particular type of unionist who feels strongly in favour of the political union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In recent times, the term has often been used to refer to militant unionists. Most frequently, they are of Protestant background (at least nominally). There are several loyalist paramilitary groups, such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

Although loyalists claim to speak on behalf of their communities and the unionist community in general, electoral results tend to suggest that their support is minimal and exclusively based in the urban working class. One pro-Belfast Agreement loyalist party (Progressive Unionist Party) won seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1999. Ideologically, loyalism is typified by a militant opposition to Irish Republicanism, and often also to Roman Catholicism. It stresses Protestant identity and community with its own folk heroes and events, such as the misfortunes and bravery of the 36th (Ulster) Division during World War I and the activities of the Orange Institution. Officially, most loyalist organisations are on ceasefire as a result of the Belfast Agreement, though numerous breaches of the ceasefire have been recorded.[citation needed]

[edit] Republic of Ireland

Loyalists in the Republic of Ireland have been few and far between since independence. Many of the southern Irish loyalists (along with many non-Loyalists, who hoped this might lead to the introduction of Home Rule) volunteered for service in the British Armed Forces in World War I and World War II; many of them losing their lives or settling in the United Kingdom after the wars. Partition saw mass movements of southern Loyalists to Northern Ireland or to Great Britain, furthering the decline of loyalism in southern Ireland.

The republican nature of post-partition Ireland meant loyalism in the Republic of Ireland transformed itself in order to survive and be active. Recently, Irish loyalists seem to have a new confidence, and are more outspoken in the wake of better Anglo-Irish relations.[citation needed] Groups such as The Reform Movement, The Border Minority Group and the Loyal Irish Union have gained some publicity in recent times but enjoy little support from the population as a whole.[citation needed] The Orange Institution in the Republic of Ireland holds an annual pre-Twelfth parade in Rossnowlagh in County Donegal. Loyalism in southern Ireland has no known links with northern paramilitary groups, although investigations into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings are still ongoing.[citation needed]

[edit] Scotland

A loyalist in Scotland is someone on the fringes of Scottish unionism who is often stridently supportive of loyalism and unionism, although mainly concentrating on the Irish union issue, rather than Scottish politics.

Although only consisting of a small fraction of the Scottish population, and less so in comparison to their Northern Irish counterparts, their profile has become more prominent with strident demonstrations of their beliefs since the establishment of a Scottish Parliament. Scottish loyalism is visible through participation at Orange parades and through their support for Rangers F.C. in Glasgow, Hearts F.C. in Edinburgh and smaller clubs such as Airdrie United F.C.. At the extreme end, loyalism is supportive of violence or threats, as a "defence" of loyalists, unionists and their version of Protestantism, as well as Northern Ireland and Scotland's positions as part of the United Kingdom.

Although far less active and organised in Scotland than their Northern Ireland counterparts, loyalists have been involved in a small number of activities related to the troubles in Northern Ireland. Most notable have been two pub bombings, spontaneous murders of people they perceived as enemies of their version of Protestantism, and the smuggling of guns and explosives to Northern Ireland.[citation needed]

Loyalists in Scotland mostly live in small working class enclaves in the major urban centres or industrial villages, notably Glasgow, Lanarkshire (especially Larkhall), Renfrewshire, West Lothian and Ayrshire. There are relatively few in areas such as the Highlands, Borders and the northeast (including Aberdeen).

Some loyalists in Scotland support paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF). Although the Orange Institution nominally repudiates these organisations, some of its members in Scotland support of these paramilitary organisations.[citation needed]

Although loyalists claim to speak on behalf of Protestants and unionists, they do not have widespread political support. Many of the political representatives in their areas are from the Labour Party and to a lesser extent, the Scottish National Party. Neither party supports their programme. Ideologically, Scottish loyalism is typified by a strident, and at times militant, opposition to Irish Republicanism, Scottish independence and the Roman Catholic Church - particularly the existence of Roman Catholic denominational schools.

On March 2004, Scotland's first 24-hour loyalist radio station started broadcasting through an Internet server in Jersey. Calton Radio has an exclusively loyalist playlist, with many songs celebrating the loyalist history and culture.[3]

[edit] England

Loyalists can be found in many parts of England, especially Liverpool, Manchester, Corby and London, where there are substantial Irish immigrant populations. Another small but militant plank of English loyalism is found in far right groups such as the British National Party, the British National Front and Combat 18. These organisations are devoted to the unity of the United Kingdom and against a united Ireland. Some of them have had links with Ulster loyalist paramilitaries such as the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force in Northern Ireland.

[edit] Wales

Loyalists can be found all over Wales, but particularly in the south. Many loyalists in Wales, who study Northern Ireland politics very closely, are linked to or supporters of Swansea City FC. Many of them are associated with hooliganism. Some Welsh loyalists are members of far right groups like the British National Party, British National Front and Combat 18. These organisations are devoted to the unity of the United Kingdom and strongly against a united Ireland.

[edit] Spanish Civil War

Supporters of the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War were generally known as loyalists or republicans. In this case, unlike most of the others noted, it was the loyalists who were the left wing side to the conflict.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ pp. 17-18 Gee, Austin The British Volunteer Movement 1794-1814 2003 Oxford University Press
  2. ^ The Military at Parramatta
  3. ^ Calton Services

[edit] External links

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