Answer:
They were traitors, and at the time treason was punishable by the death penalty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term “Patriot” (ie loving and proud of their country) shouldn’t really be applied to the rebels, until after the Declaration of Independence… the year after the conflict began! Prior to that, the term would more accurately apply to, (of all people) the great many Loyalist colonists that took up arms Against the rebels.