What two sides emerged in response to the Declaration of Independence? What did each side favor?
1 Answer
The Patriots and Loyalists; Patriots favored independence and Loyalists favored staying as a British colony.
Explanation:
Tensions were simmering prior to the start of the Revolution, and the Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776 formally broadcasted to all that the United States was a new and independent nation. This led to two factions being formed: Patriots and Loyalists.
Patriots believed that the United States should be an independent nation separate from Britain. They felt that they were being treated unfairly as a colony and that their basic rights were being trampled upon. It was their view that the time for compromises was over and that the colonies needed to leave the British Empire.
Loyalists thought that the colonies were better off staying with England. Some did this out of loyalty for the king, but others feared instability and anarchy in the event of a change in government. In addition, many feared that the economic fallout with the mother country would destabilize the American economy.
All in all, these were the two groups that were formed, and as you know, the Patriots emerged as successful and formed a new nation.
