Loyalist (American Revolution)

Loyalists were people in the Thirteen Colonies who did not support the American Revolutionary War. They were also called Tories. They fought in the war with the British against the Congress that they felt was oppressing them. In many areas, Loyalists were treated very roughly by those who favored the Revolution (who often called themselves "Patriots"). Quite often the Tories' lands and other properties were taken away, and sometimes they were put into jail or even killed. Some formed militias, fighting along with the British Army against the people fighting for the revolution.

After the war, many Loyalists sought asylum in Canada to escape from the regime in the new United States and to stay loyal to King George.