# Tories — The American Crisis character guide

> Tories in The American Crisis by Thomas Paine.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Tories, the Tories, The Tories, Tory

**First appearance:** 0002-the-crisis-i

## Who they are

American colonists loyal to Britain, denounced as traitors.

## Relationships

### [The Quakers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/the_quakers)

_social_

The Quakers and Tories shared pacifist or loyalist leanings, often interacting as fellow non-revolutionary groups.

### [America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/america)

_rivalry_

America, as the revolutionary entity, was in direct conflict with the loyalist Tories who supported British rule.

### [Britain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/britain)

_friendship_

Britain relied on the Tories as loyalist allies within the American colonies during the war.

### [Lord Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/lord_howe)

_friendship_

Lord Howe, as a British peace commissioner, sought to negotiate with and gain support from the Tories.

### [America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/america)

_rivalry_

America, as the revolutionary entity, was in direct conflict with the loyalist Tories who supported British rule.

## In the story

### [The Crisis I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-i)

American loyalists criticized as cowards and traitors; Paine argues they are motivated by fear and urges their expulsion if they aid the enemy.

### [The Crisis II: To Lord Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-ii-to-lord-howe)

Loyalists in America, derided as weak and misguided, supporting British rule.

### [The Crisis III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-iii)

Denounced as avaricious miscreants, hungry traitors, and crown dependants who have invited the enemy and done nothing for the cause.

### [The Crisis IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-iv)

Implicitly contrasted with the patriotic spirit, though not directly mentioned in the excerpt.

### [To the Inhabitants of America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/to-the-inhabitants-of-america)

Mentioned as enemies to be expelled, contrasted with Whigs who welcome patriots.

### [The Crisis VI: To the Earl of Carlisle, General Clinton, and William Eden, Esq., British Commissioners at New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-vi-to-the-earl-of-carlisle-general-clinton-and-william-eden-esq-british-commissioners-at-new-york)

Contrasted with Whigs; described as having 'canine venom' and seeking revenge.

### [The Crisis Extraordinary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-extraordinary)

Mentioned as a label that would be sunk under the general term 'rebel' if Britain conquered America.

### [A Supernumerary Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/a-supernumerary-crisis)

Implied as the refugees trained in wickedness by British commanders.

### [The Crisis XII: To the Earl of Shelburne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-xii-to-the-earl-of-shelburne)

British loyalists in America who have lost influence and are being relocated.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/tories
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters