Question

Which of the following most accurately describes people defined as Patriots a) They were mostly wealthy, well-educated men b) They were mainly planters and slave owners living in the southern colonies c) Nearly all of them were merchants opposed to British taxation d) Patriots came from a wide array of social and economic backgrounds

Answer 1

Patriots in the American Revolution came from various social and economic backgrounds, including merchants, farmers, and artisans, all united by their common opposition to British rule and their desire for self-governance. They were not solely wealthy or well-educated men, nor were they predominantly from any single region or occupation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The people defined as Patriots during the time of the American Revolution were those who actively supported independence from Great Britain. These individuals came from a wide array of social and economic backgrounds, not limited to any single class or occupation. Some Patriots were indeed wealthy and well-educated, but the revolutionary fervor spread across many layers of colonial society, including merchants, shoemakers, farmers, and sailors. The struggle for independence attracted a vast cross-section of society, united by the goal of American self-governance and liberty.

American colonists were divided in their loyalties during the revolution, with a roughly even split between Patriots, Loyalists, and those who were neutral. Patriots came from diverse backgrounds, just as Loyalists did. Their motives for joining the revolution were varied, with some fighting for idealistic reasons and others driven by concerns over their economic interests or local rights. The unity among Patriots, despite their differences, exemplified the spirit of the common cause against Great Britain.

In conclusion, the statement that Patriots came from a wide array of social and economic backgrounds most accurately describes the diversity among the American colonists who supported the push for independence. They were joined by their shared opposition to British policies and their desire for a republican form of government.

Answer 2

Patriots (also known as Revolutionaries, Continentals, Rebels, or American Whigs) were those colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who rejected British rule during the American Revolution and declared the United States of America as an independent nation in July 1776. Their decision was based on the political philosophy of republicanism as expressed by spokesmen such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Thomas Paine. They were opposed by the Loyalists who supported continued British rule.

Patriots represented the spectrum of social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. They included lawyers such as John Adams, students such as Alexander Hamilton, planters such as Thomas Jefferson and George Mason, merchants such as Alexander McDougall and John Hancock, and farmers such as Daniel Shays and Joseph Plumb Martin. They also included slaves and freemen such as Crispus Attucks, the first casualty of the American Revolution; James Armistead Lafayette, who served as a double agent for the Continental Army; and Jack Sisson, leader of the first successful black operation mission in American history under the command of Colonel William Barton, resulting in the capture of British General Richard Prescott.

Step-by-step explanation: