Final answer:
Loyalists were American colonists who wished to remain part of England, fearing the outcomes of revolution. They made up about a third of the population, often had ties to Britain, and many relocated after the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Loyalists were colonists who believed the colonies should remain a part of England. They represented about one-third of the American population during the time of the Declaration of Independence. Historically, Loyalists have been referred to as Tories by the Patriots. The Loyalists included a diverse group of people, some American-born, some European-born, who lived mostly in urban centers and the frontier regions. They feared the ramifications of a revolution and held political, social, or economic ties to the British Empire. Following the American Revolution, approximately 80,000 Loyalists opted to evacuate with the British, relocating to places like Canada, England, or the West Indies.