What Are The Causes Of Nova Scotia's Rebellion

In 1775, war broke out in North America between Great Britain and her 13 colonies. The American rebels wanted to remove themselves from the power of Great Britain and were prepared to fight for it. Independence from Britain was the main cause of conflict, and many historians have tried to explore the reasons why Nova Scotia did not join the patriots in the uprising. Recent immigrants from New England, close economic ties with the Americans, and an unstable relationship with the British-placed government in Halifax would all favour joining the rebellion with the 13 colonies, but Nova Scotia remained loyal. Nova Scotia’s loyalty was ensured because the majority of the population wanted to remain neutral in the conflict, Great Britain had control

This trend showed the emerging cultural difference between Nova Scotia and New England, and the slight favour to Great Britain’s form of government over a republic. Although Great Britain lost the war and were forced to recognize the United States as an independent entity, they succeeded in stopping Nova Scotia to act on their sympathies for the Americans. Through the strength of their navy, distrust of the Yankee planters in Nova Scotia, and colonial political actions legislation, Great Britain was able to retain the loyalty, or at least the indifference, of the population. During the American Revolutionary war Britain had, for the most part, the upper hand on water. This was well known to the revolutionary leaders such as George Washington, who wrote to patriots petitioning to invade Nova Scotia that “you, Gentlemen, will anticipate me, in pointing out our weakness and the Enemy’s Strength at Sea.” Those who were sympathetic to revolutionary causes were unable to act upon their convictions because of the lack of a navy in the 13 colonies. Another effect that the British Navy had on the populous of Nova Scotia was the utilisation of impressment – press gangs forced men to join the navy with little to no forewarning. Although impressment had a negative impact on public opinion of Great Britain, the press removed a portion of

Privateering lessened the sympathy felt in the colony and the failed attempt in attacking fort Cumberland made a mockery of the American army in the eyes of Nova Scotia. Although there was an obvious lack of military aggression in the area, the 13 colonies still applied pressures to the population through privateering. By attacking coastal towns and merchant ships, the Colonial Congress instilled fear and hindered British troops elsewhere on the continent. However, this strategy had negative consequences when Nova Scotia’s loyalty was considered. At the beginning of the conflict, a large portion of the population of Nova Scotia was at the least sympathetic of the American cause. In Privateers and Prize Cases, Faibisy explains that “even loyalist Halifax reflected some of the anger with British authorities and enthusiasm for the American cause.” As the privateering continued, groups of men formed to protect their villages and lost interest in joining with the rebels that were attacking them. Merchants whose ships were being seized found that the Prize court in the 13 colonies was biased towards the privateers, even if they took the ships illegally. While some of the population lost interest in the conflict, a small minority wanted to bring the conflict to Nova Scotia. When the idea was brought before General Washington, he declined to send any troops to form an