New Brunswick: Loyalist Stronghold

New Brunswick was still legally part of Nova Scotia until 1784, so the exile of the Patriots after the Battle of Fort Cumberland included an exile from both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The two modern-day provinces' histories during the war were tied up together, though there was a brief pro-Patriot rebellion leading up to the Battle of Fort Cumberland in New Brunswick.

New Brunswick was part of Nova Scotia until 1784, and Nova Scotia did not join the revolution

Nova Scotia was heavily involved in the American Revolutionary War (1776–1783). At the time, Nova Scotia also included present-day New Brunswick, until the colony of New Brunswick was created in 1784.

Nova Scotia had close ties with the rebellious colonies. An estimated three-quarters of Nova Scotia's population of 20,000 at the time of the Revolution were New Englanders. Many Nova Scotians were New England-born and were sympathetic to the American Patriots.

However, Nova Scotia did not join the revolution. Initially, there was ambivalence in Nova Scotia over whether the colony should join the Americans in the war against Britain. As the war continued, the population of Nova Scotia solidified their support for the British, largely as a result of American privateer raids on Nova Scotia villages.

American privateers attacked Nova Scotian villages and ships to try to interrupt Nova Scotian trade with the American Loyalists still in New England. During the war, American privateers captured 225 vessels either leaving or arriving at Nova Scotia ports. This caused Nova Scotians to grow resentful of the Americans and their rebellion.

In addition, the presence of British military units, judicial prosecution by the Nova Scotia Governors, and the efforts of Reverend Henry Alline influenced Nova Scotians to remain loyal to Britain.

Recent scholarship suggests that Nova Scotians hesitated to rise up for several reasons, including the intimidating presence of the large British military base in Halifax, influential clergymen who opposed the rebellion, and the long distances between settlements that made it difficult for rebels to act in concert.

The British military presence in Nova Scotia discouraged rebellion

The British military presence in Nova Scotia was a significant factor in discouraging rebellion during the American Revolution. The province, which included present-day New Brunswick until 1784, played a crucial role in the war. The large British military base in Halifax, along with the presence of British troops in other parts of the province, served as a deterrent to potential rebels.

At the outbreak of the war, many Nova Scotians sympathised with the American Patriots, largely due to their shared New England roots. However, as the war progressed, American privateers began attacking Nova Scotian villages and disrupting trade with American Loyalists in New England. These attacks solidified support for the British among the Nova Scotian population, who felt resentful towards the Americans for the damage inflicted on their communities.

The British military presence in Nova Scotia was a constant reminder of the power and reach of the British Empire. The presence of British troops not only provided a sense of security for Loyalists but also served as a warning to those considering rebellion. The British military was able to respond swiftly and decisively to any signs of dissent, making it difficult for rebels to gain momentum.

The British military presence also enabled the Nova Scotia Governors to prosecute those who opposed British rule. Governor Legge, for example, targeted prominent Protestant dissenters, including judges and ministers, removing them from their positions and forcing them into exile. The combination of military might and judicial prosecution created an environment where open rebellion became increasingly risky and unattractive.

The influence of Reverend Henry Alline further contributed to the loyalty of Nova Scotians to Britain. Alline, an itinerant preacher, played a key role in the “Great Awakening,” a religious movement that spread throughout the province during the revolution. This movement gave Nova Scotia a common cultural identity, uniting them under the banner of Nova Scotians rather than Yankees.

In conclusion, the British military presence in Nova Scotia was a significant factor in discouraging rebellion during the American Revolution. The combination of military might, judicial prosecution, and the influence of religious leaders led the population to solidify their support for the British. The presence of British troops served as a constant reminder of the Empire's power and reach, making it difficult for potential rebels to gain momentum. As a result, Nova Scotia, including present-day New Brunswick, remained loyal to Britain throughout the war.

American privateering raids on Nova Scotian villages turned sympathies against the Patriots

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, many Nova Scotians were New England-born and sympathetic to the American Patriots. However, as the war continued, American privateering raids on Nova Scotian villages and shipping turned sympathies against the Patriots.

During the war, American privateers captured 225 vessels either leaving or arriving at Nova Scotia ports. They didn't discriminate against loyalists, neutrals, or those inclined to support the patriot cause. Nor did Congress, Washington, or anyone else seem able to control them. Numerous settlements received nocturnal visits from the heartless New Englanders. They entered harbors, rivers, and coves, committing various depredations on land, burning vessels in port and at sea, and seizing valuable prizes.

The behavior of these raiders took away a lot of the sympathy for the rebellion. As one Nova Scotian wrote at the time: "Robbing poor innocent ones has bin a grate means to Coule [cool] the Affection of many well wishers to the Just proceedings of America."

The presence of British military units, judicial prosecution by the Nova Scotia Governors, and the efforts of Reverend Henry Alline also influenced Nova Scotians to remain loyal to Britain.

The Nova Scotian population was small and scattered, making rebellion difficult

The population of Nova Scotia at the time of the American Revolution was small, estimated at around 20,000 people. The population was also scattered across the region, with long distances between settlements. This made it difficult for rebels to act in concert and build momentum for a coordinated uprising.

The small and dispersed population of Nova Scotia faced a significant challenge in the form of the large British military base in Halifax. The presence of British troops served as an intimidating deterrent to potential rebels and made it difficult to organise and carry out a rebellion without being detected and quashed by the authorities.

In addition, the actions of American privateers operating out of New England ports negatively impacted the sympathy for the American cause among the Nova Scotian population. These privateers conducted hit-and-run raids on Nova Scotian villages and shipping, capturing or destroying vessels and disrupting trade. The privateers did not discriminate between loyalists, neutrals, or those inclined to support the patriot cause, and their actions alienated many Nova Scotians who may have otherwise been sympathetic to the rebellion.

The scattered nature of the population, the presence of British military forces, and the negative impact of American privateer raids all contributed to making rebellion difficult in Nova Scotia. The small and dispersed population faced challenges in organising and carrying out a coordinated uprising, and the actions of the American privateers eroded support for the revolutionary cause.

The Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy peoples had been expelled from their lands by the British and may have been reluctant to join another conflict

The Mikmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy peoples are First Nations groups who inhabited the land encompassing present-day New Brunswick for millennia before European colonization. These groups were expelled from their lands by the British during the Seven Years' War, and as a result, may have been reluctant to join another conflict.

The Mikmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy have a long and complex history in the region. Prior to European colonization, they lived in the area for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence confirming their presence dating back at least 2,500 to 3,000 years. The Mikmaq primarily inhabited mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, Prince Edward Island, and eastern New Brunswick, while the Maliseet lived along the St. John River Valley in central New Brunswick. The Passamaquoddy resided along the St. Croix River and its tributaries, with some families living in coastal areas bordering Passamaquoddy Bay.

During the colonial period, the British and French competed for control of the region, and both powers formed alliances with these First Nations groups. The Mikmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy played a significant role in the colonial wars between the French and British, often siding with the French due to their stronger relationships and trading partnerships. However, in 1713, the French ceded their claims to Nova Scotia to the British, and the British began to exert more control over the region.

The British-First Nations relationship was further strained when the British founded Halifax in 1749, leading to a period of intermittent warfare with the Mikmaq. The British offered rewards for captured or scalped Mikmaq individuals, and conflicts escalated into what became known as the Anglo-Micmac War (1749-1760). A temporary peace was reached in 1752 with the signing of a treaty between the British and Jean-Baptiste Cope, chief of the Shubenacadie Mikmaq. However, hostilities resumed during the Seven Years' War, and the British ultimately defeated the French and their First Nations allies.

In the aftermath of the Seven Years' War, the British sought to solidify their control over the region and establish a durable alliance with the Mikmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy. A series of treaties, known as the Peace and Friendship Treaties, were signed between 1760 and 1779. These treaties recognized the hunting, fishing, and land-use rights of these First Nations groups and established trading relationships with the British. The treaties also contained provisions for the British to establish settlements, but the exact terms and boundaries of these settlements were not clearly defined, leading to ongoing disputes.

Despite the treaties, the relationship between the British and the First Nations groups remained tense, and the arrival of Loyalists in the 1780s further altered the dynamics. The creation of reserves and the erosion of treaty meanings impacted the Mikmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy, who continued to assert their rights and petition governments for recognition. While they did not actively join the American Revolution, these First Nations groups faced their own struggles and sought to protect their lands and rights within the changing political landscape.

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