A "Loyalist" refers to a person who remains loyal to a particular government or authority, especially during times of conflict. In the context of the American Revolutionary War, Loyalists were colonists who supported the British Crown and opposed independence from Britain. They believed that remaining loyal would ensure stability and protection of their rights. Loyalists often faced significant challenges, including social ostracism and violence from those who supported independence, known as Patriots. After the war, many Loyalists fled to Canada or other British territories, seeking refuge and a new life away from the hostility they encountered in the newly formed United States.