Final answer:
Loyalists during the American Revolution primarily relocated to British North America, particularly Canada, as well as the British West Indies, Florida, and some to England. Relocation was often funded by the British Parliament and was influenced by the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the American Revolution, Loyalists faced a difficult situation, as they were supporters of the British Crown in a predominantly revolutionary environment. After the Declaration of Independence, not all colonists supported the Patriots. Many Loyalists chose to leave the American colonies, with historians estimating that about 15-20% of the total colonial population were Loyalists. This amounted to approximately 400,000 people. While most stayed and became U.S. citizens post-war, about 70,000 Loyalists relocated to other parts of the British Empire due to the potential backlash from the revolutionary majority.
The majority of Loyalists who left chose to settle in British North America, particularly in Canada, where they significantly influenced the population, transforming it from predominantly French to predominantly British. Others went south to the British West Indies or remained loyal under British rule in Florida. Yet some Loyalists opted to evacuate with the British to England, with Parliament funding their relocation. These movements were in part reactions to the Treaty of Paris, which suggested fair treatment for Loyalists who chose to stay, but the reality was that many states did not honor this suggestion.