Colonial Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War. They opposed independence and supported British rule, believing it provided stability and protection. Loyalists came from various backgrounds, including wealthy landowners, merchants, and ordinary farmers. As tensions grew, many Loyalists faced hostility from their neighbors, leading to violence and social ostracism. After the war, some Loyalists fled to Canada or other British territories, while others remained in the newly formed United States, often facing discrimination and loss of property.