- Sought to break away from British rule and form a new, independent nation.
- Led by figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.
- Believed that the British were taxing the colonists unfairly and denying them their rights as British citizens.
2. Loyalists
- Wanted to remain part of the British Empire.
- Led by figures like Thomas Hutchinson, William Franklin, and Benedict Arnold.
- Believed that breaking away from Britain would be disastrous and that the colonies would be better off under British rule.