Which American Colonies Did Not Want to Secede from Great Britain?

The American Revolution saw a significant divide among the colonies, with some colonies enthusiastically joining the rebellion against Great Britain, while others held reservations or outright resistance to secession.

Caribbean Colonies and Canadian Regions

Notably, the Caribbean colonies remained loyal, as did the Canadian regions of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Labrador, Jamaica, and various other Caribbean Islands. Similarly, British Honduras and British Guiana also did not wish to secede from Great Britain.

The 20 British North American Provinces in 1776

At the time of the American Revolution in 1776, there were a total of 20 British North American colonies, which included:

Upper Canada Lower Canada New Brunswick Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Newfoundland Labrador Jamaica and various Caribbean Islands British Honduras (Belize) British Guiana (Guyana) St. John's (later renamed Prince Edward Island)

While thirteen of these colonies declared independence, others chose to maintain their allegiance to Great Britain.

Geographical Inclinations and Political Overtures

The thirteen colonies that ultimately declared independence in 1776 mostly focused on three other British colonies in North America: Quebec, Nova Scotia, and St. John's, the latter of which was later renamed Prince Edward Island.

The Case of Quebec

Quebec, a large and strategically important province, initially garnered significant attention. The revolutionary leaders attempted to entice and coerce parts of the Canadian population to support their cause, but they faced a significant challenge in convincing the majority to support secession.

Canadian Regions and the Continental Congress

Between 1775 and 1783, Canada, including its people, government, and armed forces, struggled to maintain its neutrality while dealing with political overtures from the Continental Congress and the Continental Army. Ultimately, they sought to defend their borders rather than join the rebellion.

Isolated Colonies and Territorial Focus

The rebel colonies, while focused on Quebec, did not target Newfoundland, an isolated fishing colony, or Rupert's Land, which was the Hudson Bay Company's far northern trading territory. They also did not immediately claim the Floridas, which Britain had acquired from Spain following the Seven Years' War in 1763.

The thirteen colonies that eventually became the United States concentrated their efforts on Quebec, hoping to integrate Nova Scotia and St. John's, renamed Prince Edward Island, into their cause as well.