The colonists who did not want to break away from Britain were known as Loyalists or Tories. They were a diverse group of people who had a variety of reasons for remaining loyal to the British crown. Some Loyalists were wealthy landowners who feared that independence from Britain would lead to social unrest and the loss of their property. Others were merchants who relied on trade with Britain and feared that independence would disrupt the economy. Still others were former soldiers or government officials who had served the British Empire and felt a sense of loyalty to the crown.
Loyalists were a significant minority in the American colonies, and they played an important role in the American Revolution. They fought on the British side in the war, and their support helped to prolong the conflict. After the war, many Loyalists fled the United States and resettled in Canada or Britain.