What religion are loyalists?

Although Loyalists were found in all social classes and occupations, a disproportionately large number were engaged in commerce and the professions, or were officeholders under the crown. They also tended to be foreign born and of the Anglican religion. In addition, thousands of free blacks were among the Loyalists.

What are unionists and loyalists?

Unionists and loyalists, who for historical reasons were mostly Ulster Protestants, wanted Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom. Irish nationalists and republicans, who were mostly Irish Catholics, wanted Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and join a united Ireland.

What social class were the loyalists?

Loyalists tended to be upper middle class, educated elites; their social identity was woven to that of the crown.

What were loyalists jobs?

Loyalists came from all walks of life. The majority were small farmers, artisans and shopkeepers. Not surprisingly, most British officials remained loyal to the Crown. Wealthy merchants tended to remain loyal, as did Anglican ministers, especially in Puritan New England.

Why would a colonist choose to be a loyalist?

Loyalists wanted to pursue peaceful forms of protest because they believed that violence would give rise to mob rule or tyranny. They also believed that independence would mean the loss of economic benefits derived from membership in the British mercantile system. Loyalists came from all walks of life.

What is the difference between a Tory and a loyalist?

As nouns the difference between loyalist and tory is that loyalist is a person who is loyal to a cause, generally used as a political affiliation while tory is a political conservative supporting monarchy and traditional political and social institutions.

Who were the loyalist paramilitaries and what did they do?

Loyalist paramilitaries were extremely active throughout the period when they felt Northern Ireland was most at threat: the Direct Rule crisis, the Sunningdale Agreement, and the subsequent constitutional uncertainty. (The name Ulster Defence Association indicates its priority.)

What is the difference between Ulster Unionists and loyalists?

Like unionists, loyalists are attached to the British monarchy, support the continued existence of Northern Ireland, and oppose a united Ireland. Ulster loyalism has been described as a kind of ethnic nationalism and “a variation of British nationalism”.

What were the Ulster paramilitaries during the troubles?

The biggest and most active paramilitary groups existed during the Troubles, and were the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA)/Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF). They, and most other loyalist paramilitaries, are classified as terrorist organizations .

Why did the loyalists attack Catholics in Northern Ireland?

During partition, communal violence raged between loyalists and Irish nationalists in Belfast, and loyalists attacked the Catholic minority in retaliation for Irish republican activity. Northern Ireland’s unionist governments were accused of discrimination against Catholics and Irish nationalists.