Is it possible that the founding Fathers were war criminals?

[TheForeigner]

I believe the North American colonies, unlike Britain itself, even had constitutions or charters and had a larger percentage of eligible voters and potential candidates. There was much less poverty and social inequality too and social equality, lack of aristocracy and proto-democratic institutions went hand in hand already. Well the Southern colonies did have some aristocracy and more poor and slaves too.

[Loki]

I have always wondered this.

Think away! [this thread is opinion based so there are no wrong answers]

They didn't go there to fight a war. They settled and expanded.

[Graham]

Evading taxes, disloyalty to the King/Parliament and terrorism.

Here, one mans terrorist is another mans Freedom fighter. Why would anyone want to pay tax to a Kingdom thousands of miles away?

[TheForeigner]

Here, one mans terrorist is another mans Freedom fighter. Why would anyone want to pay tax to a Kingdom thousands of miles away?

It was the mother country and not just some random other country. They did not rush into secession either.

[LightHouse89]

They didn't go there to fight a war. They settled and expanded.

Well ofcourse. Where else did they have to go? My ancestors didnt have it easy

[LightHouse89]

Here, one mans terrorist is another mans Freedom fighter. Why would anyone want to pay tax to a Kingdom thousands of miles away?

Well they garrisoned troops, some minor nobility lived here, the Brits had set up alot here actually. The English separatists were given some more freedoms here though. They were sent here because they were untrustworthy. Over time as they expanded though the Brits government had more interest in us I guess.

Prior to the Act of the Union my area was owned by England. Hence the name of it. Virginia too was owned by England.

[LightHouse89]

It was the mother country and not just some random other country. They did not rush into secession either.

Very true loyalists saw themselves as Brits while the rebels saw themselves as this make believe people i.e 'Americans'.

[Graham]

From 17th century - mid 18th Century Britain. there were many rebellions, differences & civil war. Can understand why their ancestors may have kept the flame alive in the US.

[TheForeigner]

Maybe the really good people were the loyalists who also help found British Canada. They were more moderate there always.

[LightHouse89]

From 17th century - mid 18th Century Britain. there were many rebellions, differences & civil war. Can understand why their ancestors may have kept the flame alive in the US.

What is odd is that New England was very anti British. They did not see themselves as British but New Englanders and with the southerners they all became 'Americans'. New England for some odd reason attracted a lot of rebellious types. I cannot say the same of people of today here they are very liberal and conformist like. However states like New York had a lot of Torries. Some of my ancestors who settled there in the early 1700s to mid 1700s were granted lands there by the King. So they were loyalists while my New England ancestors were gun hoe Muricans. A rather odd background.

But it depends where in the states. Some states had a lot of Loyalists and some like my area, Appalachia and Pennsylvania did not have many Loyalists. I have a huge interest in the period here and in Europe. All of the Loyalists either went back to Britain or Canada. Most moved to Canada but lost everything here after the war.