Final answer:
Loyalists supported King George III and the British Parliament because they feared losing their land, economic instability, and desired protection against indigenous threats. They desired to maintain constitutional ties with Britain and worried about social disorder post-independence. Additionally, they contributed to the British war effort through military service, uprisings, and espionage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Loyalists, also known as Tories, had various reasons for supporting King George III and the British Parliament during the early 1770s. They saw the revolution as a threat to their political, social, and economic rights. Specifically, Loyalists feared the potential loss of land granted by the crown, the economic consequences of ending trade ties with Britain, and desired protection from the British army against indigenous peoples on the frontier.
Moreover, some Loyalists sought to maintain the traditional constitutional ties with Britain and were concerned about mob rule and the lack of respect for common welfare post-independence. They often faced severe consequences in patriot-dominated areas for their allegiance, as dissent was not tolerated during the war for independence.
Loyalists aided the British war effort by enlisting in the army and militias, participating in uprisings, procuring necessary supplies, and gathering intelligence. For example, Ann Bates provided essential information to the British about the American forces. These activities also demonstrated the division within American sentiments towards the patriot cause, highlighting that not all colonists supported the rebellion against the empire.