AboutMichael Troy Expertise I can answer just about any question on early American History. My specialties are the American Revolution through the Civil War/Reconstruction. I also have greater expertise in matters relating to military, political or legal history.
Experience I have lectured at George Washington University regarding the Civil War, as well as several elementary school Civil War demonstrations. I was also a member of a Civil War reenactment group for about 10 years.
Education/Credentials J.D. University of Michigan
B.A. George Washington University
Expert: Michael Troy Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: American Revolution politics
Question Why were the American revolutionaries referred to as "Whigs" and the Loyalists referred to as "Tories"? I know that these were political terms, but how do they define the ideologies of each side?
Answer Hi Chris,
Tories have been a Political party in Britain since the late 1600's. The term comes from Tóraidhe, was originally used to refer to an Irish outlaw and later often applied to any Confederate or Royalist in arms. The British Tory Party were in the majority in the period leading up to the revolution. So colonists who supported their policies were called Tories as well.
The Whigs were the opposition party in Britain during the same time. The term "Whig" originated during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It referred derisively to a radical faction of the Scottish Covenanters who called themselves the "Kirk Party." The term was applied as a negative: whiggamor is a Scottish Gaelic word for a cattle or horse driver.
The Whigs in Britain were the loyal opposition in Parliament. They opposed British policies in the colonies and supported ideologies of protecting basic rights of all Englishmen. Colonial opponents of British policies therefore sometimes called themselves Whigs in affiliation with the opposition party.
