Traitors, Tories or Good Americans? The Loyalists Who Opposed Independence

Who were the Loyalists? What were their arguments in favor of remaining part of the British Empire? Why did they lose the battle for the hearts and minds of those who were uncommitted on the eve of the Declaration of Independence? Did they, in fact, gain support during the conflict? Did they make converts among the Patriots? What became of them at the end of the Revolutionary War? What became of their arguments? Was the Constitution a partial vindication of them? Was the Civil War their final vindication?

This course will attempt to answer these and other questions about the Loyalists.

Arthur J. O’Neill is a resident of Newport. He retired as an attorney after 47 years of practice in Connecticut. In 2021, he retired after 33 years as a state representative in Connecticut. In the legislature in 2004, he co-chaired the Select Committee of Inquiry that investigated Governor John Rowland for possible impeachment. Governor Rowland resigned during the investigation. Arthur O’Neill was also a member of the Connecticut Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee and the Commission in 2001 and 2011. He chaired the Connecticut Law Revision Commission, the Connecticut Legislative Regulations Review Committee, and served as Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. He earned a B.A. from University of Connecticut and a J.D. from Rutgers University Law School.