Loyalists

Loyalists were British North American colonists who remained loyal subjects of the British crown during the American Revolutionary War. They were also called Tories or "King's Men". Those Loyalists settling in what would become Canada are often called United Empire Loyalists. Their colonial opponents, who supported the Revolution, were called Patriots, Whigs, or just Americans. From an American perspective, the Loyalists were traitors who turned against their fellow colonists and collaborated with an oppressive British government, from a Canadian and British perspective, the Loyalists were the honourable ones who stood by the Empire and the Crown, while the American rebels were the traitors.

Historians estimate that about 15-20% of the adult white male population of the thirteen colonies were Loyalists. An often cited statement by John Adams, in which he seemed to suggest that about one-third of the people were Loyalists, was taken out of context and did not refer to the sentiments of the colonists.