Great Britain in the AWI

[Le Ricain]

Much has been reported on the division within the American colonies during the AWI. This is reflected in BoA by the appearance of Loyalist militia. What is perhaps less well known, is how Great Britain and England in particular were divided by the war. That these divisions mirrored the earlier English Civil War has lead to the AWI being called the Second Civil War.

Some examples that illustrate these divisions:

1. The first charity associated with the war was formed in London in 1776. This charity was set up to provide support for widows and orphans of soldiers killed in the war. Specifically, the charity provided for widows and orphans of American soldiers killed. Loyalist soldiers were not included.

2. During the war Britain raised thirteen regiments for service. Ten of these regiments were raised in Scotland. This lack of English recruits led to George III asking his German cousins for help. The Germans were more than happy to provide mercenaries. Catherine the Great of Russia was also approached about the possibility of supplying Russian mercenary troops, but these negotiations broke down.

The AWI was the first war in which there were opinion polls. Such was the strength of the pro-American lobby in Parliament that the government decided to go direct to the people in hopes of forcing opposing MP's to support the government by appealing directly to their boroughs. At various times during the war, petitions were circulated throughout cities and towns in Great Britain urging the government to be more coercive in dealing with the Americans (the so-called Coercive petitions). As soon as the pro-American lobby found out what the government was up to, they began circulating petitions urging the government to be more conciliatory with the Americans (the Conciliatory petitions). By counting signatures of the competing petitions, one can get a rough idea of public opinion by area over time throughout the war.

The war started with 25% of the population supporting the American cause. This rose over time reaching 40% with the surrender at Saratoga (the third worst defeat in British army history). This American support fell to 15% with French declaration of war, but started to rise again under the argument that the government should settle with the Americans and get on with real business of beating the French. American support rose steadily due to superior American propaganda; especially Indian atrocity stories from the frontier. An especially effective report was the story of Indians killing the fiancee of an American officer away serving with a Loyalist regiment. American support topped 60% with surrender at Yorktown (the second worst defeat in British army history) and the government fell soon afterwards.

The breakdown by region may be of interest to the forum's British and Irish members:

England: American support was very strong in the south and east (including London). Government support was strongest in the north and west with the exception of Liverpool. Due to strong historic trading links with the Americans, Liverpool and the surrounding area were pro-American.

Many of Britain's senior generals and admirals refused to serve in America. This is reflected in BoA by the weakness of the British generals in comparison with their American counterparts. General William Howe only accepted after being given the additional title and responsibilities as Peace Commisioner.

Scotland: The Lairds and Chieftains in Scotland viewed the war as purely an English civil war and saw an opportunity to benefit Scotland. They hoped that by supporting the government they could erase the stigma due to Bonny Prince Charles and regain certain rights and privileges that had been lost after 1745. In this they were successful as a grateful government did restore to Scots many rights.

The one exception in Scotland was Glasgow which supported the Americans for exactly the same reasons as had Liverpool.

An interesting footnote to this is the role played by Flora McDonald in the AWI. Flora is famous in Scotland for the role she played in helping Bonnie Prince Charles escape after Culloden. Flora and her husband spent the war in Pennsylvania using her celebrity to raise Scottish Loyalist troops. Strange that she ended up being such a strong Hanover supporter.

Ireland: Irish Catholics viewed the war the same as did the Scots. However, the Irish Catholics were in even worse shape than their Scottish cousins. A Catholic was not allowed to own even a horse or a cow. This would make life tough in agrarian Ireland. The Irish leaders hoped by supporting the government, they would regain some rights. Like the Scots, the government rewarded the Irish Catholics for their support.

Irish Protestants, on the other hand, strongly supported the Americans. This was due to family connections. Many 'Scotch-Irish' had emigrated in earlier times to America.

Although no AWI battles were fought in Great Britain, the war was in many senses a civil war in both America and Great Britain.