Patriotes
Patriotes were those colonists of the Domain of Cassier who rejected Gaullican rule during the Asterian War of Secession. Their decision was based on the political philosophies of republicanism and self rule as expressed by spokesmen to the south in the United Colonies. They were opposed by Cassien loyalists who supported continued Gaullican rule.
Patriotes represented the spectrum of social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds present in Cassier at the time. Despite widespread promotion of similar revolutionary ideas found to the south the Patriotes would only encompass a minority of Cassiens, with broad estimates placing the total number of active Patriotes at 10 to 12,000 out of a total population of over 140,000. Contentment with Gaullican rule combined with cultural and geographic differences to the revolutionaries in the south prevented a large scale outpouring of public support for independence compared to what was found in the United Colonies, significantly hampering Patriote efforts. The climax of Patriote effort was reached at the Battle of Louiseville which saw an army of 5,400 Patriotes led by Vivien Gérin-Lajoie defeated decisively by 3,500 Loyalists and Gaullicans, resulting the near total collapse of Patriote forces in Cassier and the death of general Lajoie. The remaining Patriote forces would flee south to the United Colonies and rendezvous with fellow rebel forces until the end of the war in 1771.
Terms
Critics of Gaullican rule called themselves “Whigs” after 1760, identifying with other political groups in Gaullica who favoured similar colonial policies. In Gaullica at the time, the word “Patriote” had a negative connotation and was used as a negative epithet for a factious disturber of the government.
Prior to the Asterian War of Secession, colonists who supported Gaullican authority called themselves Legitimists or Royalists, identifying with the philosophy of traditional conservatism in Gaullica. During the war, these persons became known as Loyalists.
Influence
Many Patriotes were active before the start of the war in groups such as the Sons of the North. Those considered Patriotes represented a cross-section of the population of the Domain of Cassier and came from many different backgrounds despite their limited numbers. According to experts, 10 percent of the white population in the Cassier supported the Patriotes' cause, between 40 and 45 percent supported the Loyalists, and the remainder were neutral or kept a low profile. The great majority of Patriotes went to Lorcania after the defeat of Lajoie and the end of the war.
Motivations
Historians have explored the motivations that pulled men to one side or the other. Most modern historians use the published and unpublished writings and letters of leading men on each side, searching for how personality shaped their choice. The consensus among experts express that there were eight characteristics that differentiated the two groups. Loyalists were older, better established, and more likely to resist innovation than the Patriotes. Loyalists felt that Gaullica were the legitimate overlords and resistance to it was morally wrong, while the Patriotes felt that morality was on their side because the Gaullican government had violated the constitutional rights of Gaullicans. Men who were alienated by physical attacks on Royal officials took the Loyalist position, while those who were offended by heavy-handed Gaullican rule became Patriotes. Merchants in the port cities with long-standing financial attachments to the Gaullican Empire were likely to remain loyal to the system, while few Patriotes were so deeply enmeshed in the system. Some were "procrastinators" who believed that independence was bound to come some day, but wanted to "postpone the moment", while the Patriotes wanted to "seize the moment". Loyalists were cautious and afraid of anarchy or tyranny that might come from mob rule; Patriotes made a systematic effort to take a stand against the Gaullicans.
Defeat and Legacy
The Battle of Louiseville proved a devastating blow to the Patriotes and what little public support they were able to acquire. With the death of general Lajoie and the majority of Patriote forces routed out of Cassier the majority of persons who publicly supported the revolution were arrested or fled south. Politicians and prominent supporters or leaders of the Patriotes were tried and punished for treason, with the most being sentenced to death. Public support for independence dwindled rapidly as the population did not wish to potentially associate themselves with the Patriotes and face the same fate as the majority of their leaders. Serious discussions for Cassien separation from Gaullica would not resurface until the 1840s, with Cassier itself not becoming fully sovereign until 1920.
Attitudes towards the Patriotes in Cassier have changed significantly. Efforts by writers, artists, and political figures since the 1860s to place Patriotes in a sympathetic way has transformed public perception of the rebels from traitors to national heroes, with general Lajoie in particular becoming a martyr figure for the republican values Cassier upholds today. Numerous memorials to the Patriotes have been erected throughout Cassier, including the site of the Battle of Louiseville becoming a dedicated national monument. Some have criticized aspects of this new shift, calling out the exaggerations and whitewashing of reality in contemporary works and media.