<P> Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War . At the time they were often called Tories , Royalists , or King 's Men . They were opposed by the Patriots , those who supported the revolution and called them `` persons inimical to the liberties of America '' . Prominent Loyalists repeatedly assured the British government that many thousands of loyalists would spring to arms and fight for the crown . The British government acted in expectation of that , especially in the southern campaigns in 1780 - 81 . In practice , the number of loyalists in military service was far lower than expected . Across the colonies , Patriots watched suspected Loyalists very closely , and would not tolerate any organized Loyalist opposition . Many outspoken or militarily active loyalists were forced to flee , especially to their stronghold of New York City . William Franklin , the royal governor of New Jersey and son of Patriot leader Benjamin Franklin , became the leader of the Loyalists after his release from a Patriot prison in 1778 . He worked to build Loyalist military units to fight in the war , but the number of volunteers was much fewer than London expected . </P>
<P> Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War . At the time they were often called Tories , Royalists , or King 's Men . They were opposed by the Patriots , those who supported the revolution and called them `` persons inimical to the liberties of America '' . Prominent Loyalists repeatedly assured the British government that many thousands of loyalists would spring to arms and fight for the crown . The British government acted in expectation of that , especially in the southern campaigns in 1780 - 81 . In practice , the number of loyalists in military service was far lower than expected . Across the colonies , Patriots watched suspected Loyalists very closely , and would not tolerate any organized Loyalist opposition . Many outspoken or militarily active loyalists were forced to flee , especially to their stronghold of New York City . William Franklin , the royal governor of New Jersey and son of Patriot leader Benjamin Franklin , became the leader of the Loyalists after his release from a Patriot prison in 1778 . He worked to build Loyalist military units to fight in the war , but the number of volunteers was much fewer than London expected . </P>
who were the colonists who wished to remain part of great britain
who were the colonists who wished to remain part of great britain
Tories Royalists
Tories Royalists