Coming of the Loyalists Student Activities

Design and draw a poster or banner that an American Patriot might have made expressing his/her opinion about the Loyalists.

Do a map analysis indicating the number of Loyalists and where they settled in British North America.

From a map of the Eastern Townships, identify English place names that may have their origins from the Loyalists.

Indicate, by means of a circle graph, the geographical distribution of the Loyalists in British North America.

List the hardships faced by the Loyalists who journeyed to British North America.

Research Joseph Brant and make a PowerPoint presentation to the class on his impact.

What assistance did the government provide the Loyalists?

Imagine that you are Joseph Brant. Explain to your people why selling or leasing your land is a wise policy.

What aspects made the Loyalists a very diverse group?

What were "location tickets" and how did they operate? In your view, was this a fair and equitable system? Why or why not?

After family roles are assigned, conduct a family dinner-table discussions by members contemplating leaving the Thirteen Colonies.

Imagine that you are a newly arrived Loyalist family. Make a list of the many tasks that you now face. Beside each task, identify the person or persons who will be most likely the one to carry it out.

Research and then present, with PowerPoint, Black Loyalists and the community of Birchtown.

Write a poem either from the perspective of a Loyalist family about the hardship you have endure or from today's perspective about the legacy and impact of the Loyalists.

Write and perform a rap about the Loyalists.

Write three dairy entries as a member of a Loyalist family. Along with indicating what you are doing also express how you are feeling.

Write two letters written to family or neighbours who have remained behind in the newly created United States. The first letter should be written immediately after arriving in British North America that describes the journey. The second should be written one year after having settled in British North America and should concentrate how your life has changed.

After family roles are assigned, conduct a family dinner-table discussions by members contemplating leaving the Thirteen Colonies.

About an equal number of Loyalists returned to Britain compared to the number that traveled to British North America. In chart form, list the advantages and disadvantages of both destinations. Had you been a Loyalist at this time, where would you have preferred to go?

Debate, either as an entire class or in triads, the following resolution: Resolved that the United Empire Loyalists can legitimately be called Canada's first refugees.

Do a cost-benefit analysis that a potential Loyalist might have made as he/she thought about the advantages and disadvantages of leaving the Thirteen Colonies.

Research the "Haldimand grant." From your findings, would you judge it to have been a fair and equitable agreement? Why or why not?

What were the similarities and differences between the United Empire Loyalists and the "late Loyalists?"

Why did the coming of the Loyalists into Quebec force the division of the colony into Upper and Lower Canada? (In your answer, be sure to make reference to the existing political system into which the Loyalists arrived.)

As a high-ranking British advisor, write the memo explaining the rationale behind the Constitutional Act of 1791.

Did the Loyalists have the greatest effect in the political, economic, or social realm? Explain fully.

In which region of British North America did Loyalists have the greatest impact? Explain fully.

Using the principles of heraldry, analyze the coat of arms of the United Empire Loyalists.

What impact did the coming of the Loyalists have on the existing aboriginal population? What impact did their coming have on relations with the newly created United States?

What is the difference between the terms "Loyalist" and "Tory?"

Write a contemporary American newspaper editorial about the departure of the Loyalists.

Write a thematic essay about the impact that the Loyalists had on the political climate and culture in Canada.