USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Colonists who chose not to pick a side were called Neutrals. Some neutrals believed that both Patriots and Loyalists had valid points. Others simply did not want to come out on the losing side. Neutral colonists did not participate in the protests or the eventual battles during the Revolution.

Detailed explanation-2: -Other colonists wished to remain neutral because they wanted no part in a war that could bring death and destruction to their families and homes. They may or may not have felt strongly about the issue of independence but the risk that war brought was too great in their eyes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Even if they had some sympathy with the revolutionaries, they often became Loyalists out of outrage at the excesses of the “rebels” and the persecutions they suffered for refusing to actively support the rebellion. Many simply supported the existing government, or held public office under it.

Detailed explanation-4: -Some Americans could not decide which side to choose and remained neutral during the war. Most American colonists, however, did choose sides. Those who supported independence from Britain were known as Patriots and colonists who opposed independence from Britain were known as Loyalists.

Detailed explanation-5: -There were many different reasons why colonists were revolutionaries or loyalists. Sometimes they chose sides according to what was happening in their own communities and what their personal needs were. If people they did not get along with did not want independence, they might take the revolutionary side.