Patriots were more likely than Loyalists to believe in the idea of consent of the governed.
Loyalists did not believe the people of a colony had the ability to govern themselves nor did they believe the people could choose their government. Loyalists were most likely to believe in the god-like destiny of a king therefore believing a citizen could not act against their king because it would be an act against God as well. Consent of the governed was a radical idea of the time and it took the security and tradition of monarchy and replaced it with revolution and potential chaos. Loyalists were typically well off or worked for the government. Protecting the British government was also a move to protect their own wealth and standing with the government.
Because there was more racism and segregation back during the 19th century
Citizens of Richmond, Virginia would have been excited by the actions at Fort Sumter due to their location in the South. Richmond would eventually become the seat of government for the Confederate States of America. As such (and in tandem with most other Southerners), citizens of Richmond held a great deal of animosity against the Union. The actions at Fort Sumter consisted of violence against the North and thus began the Civil War, therefore citizens of Virginia were excited by the resistance to Union control.
The House Un-American Activities Committee wrongly accused many people.
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