In general, a loyalist is someone 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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In North America, the term 'Loyalist' characterizes American colonists who rejected the American Revolution. They included many Royal officials, Anglican clergymen, wealthy merchants with ties to London, de-mobilized Royal soldiers, or recent arrivals (especially from Scotland), together with many ordinary people. Colonists with Loyalist sympathies accounted for an estimated 20% to 30% of the white colonial population of the day, compared with about 40% who were 'Patriot'. This high level of political polarization causes some historians to argue that the American Revolution was as much a civil war, as a war of independence.[1][2][3]
The British strategy to win the war relied on mobilizing Loyalist soldiers, and they formed over 100[4] militia regiments during the Revolution. In the South after 1779, especially in South Carolina, Loyalist militias tended to use the same guerrilla tactics as their Patriot counterparts. Battles between Loyalist and Patriot militias in the South were often brutal, and atrocities occurred, as in the experience of young Andrew Jackson.[5]
Repression of leading Loyalists during the Revolution included property confiscation and driving people out of town.[6] After the war 80% of the Loyalists stayed in the United States. However perhaps 70,000 Loyalists sought refuge elsewhere in the British Empire, often with financial help from the Crown. Most re-settled in Quebec and Nova Scotia. Thus, the Loyalists, to whom The British gave free land and the nominal hereditary title 'UEL' (United Empire Loyalist) which their descendants may choose to bear even today, are generally regarded to be the founders of modern English-speaking Canada. This migration included native Loyalists like Mohawk leader Joseph Brant, the Black Loyalists, and Anabaptist Loyalists (Mennonites).[7][8]
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.[9] 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.[9]
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.[10]
Sydney and Parramatta Loyalist Associations, with 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.[11][12]
Ideologically, a loyalist in Northern Ireland 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. A loyalist is most commonly a unionist who feels strongly in favour of the political union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, although some also support an independent Ulster. In recent times, the term is often used to refer to militants including several loyalist paramilitary groups, such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).
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.
Loyalism in post-partion Ireland has declined since independence.[13] 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.[14] Partition saw mass movements of southern loyalists to Northern Ireland or to Great Britain,[15] although groups such as The Reform Movement, The Border Minority Group and the Loyal Irish Union have received publicity.
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. 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.
Though 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 with supporters from Rangers, Heart of Midlothian F.C and Airdrie United. 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. Some loyalists in Scotland support paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).
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 loyalists in areas such as the Highlands, Borders and the northeast (including Aberdeen). Although loyalists claim to speak on behalf of Protestants and unionists, they do not have widespread political support. Most of the political representatives in their areas are from the Scottish National Party. It's aim is for a referendum on Scottish Independence in the next four years.