Final answer:
Loyalists faced religious consequences such as the loss of rights, property confiscation, and personal attacks during the American Revolution. Some Loyalists were royal officials and merchants who believed in defending the British constitution. Restrictions were also imposed on English Catholics as part of the Revolutionary Settlement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Loyalists faced several religious consequences during the American Revolution. Many Loyalists were royal officials and merchants with extensive business ties to Great Britain, who viewed themselves as defenders of the British constitution. They feared the consequences of breaking away from Britain and believed that constitutional ties and mutual interests bound them to the British Empire. Additionally, the Revolutionary Settlement included penalties against English Catholics, such as restrictions on bearing arms and worshipping freely.
Furthermore, the Continental Congress and states took measures to expose and punish Loyalists. They required all citizens to pledge an oath of loyalty, and those who refused could face disarmament, heavy bonds, or imprisonment. Loyalists often lost their right to vote or travel freely. If Loyalists engaged in overt loyalist activities, such as enlisting in or providing supplies to the British army, they could be considered treasonous, potentially facing the death penalty or having their property confiscated.
Some Loyalists also faced personal attacks from angry patriots. After the war, some 80,000 Loyalists opted to evacuate with the British, while others stayed in British North America or went to England. The Treaty of Paris suggested fair treatment for those Loyalists who chose to stay. However, it took several years for Loyalists in the United States to regain their confiscated property.