Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Empire and the British monarchy during the American Revolutionary War.
Patriots also known as Rebels, Revolutionaries, Congress-Men. they were colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who violently rebelled against British control during the American Revolution.
http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/patriots_and_loyalists.php
Separation and disagreement has always existed in this world of ours.Sometimes it comes down to the fact that “you are either with us or against us!” The Revolutionary War split American colonies into two groups, and they were the loyalists and the patriots.
Loyalists lived in places like New York because it was a wealthy trade city. They also lived in southern plantation colonies like South Carolina. Almost every loyalist did not want to end ties with the British because it gave them profit. Loyalists believed that if they stayed under the British rules that their colonies would run much better. Their were some people who were just scared to go against the British army and then their were the ones that just had great trade with the British. They knew that if they cut ties with them their money would decrease fast. Mayors and leaders usually supported the loyal group because they were in a position of political power.
Patriots were the group who wanted independence! They wanted their own privacy,they wanted the United States. They felt as if being taxed against there will was not going to work for them.The main thing that they fought for was self rule and self representation. Patrick Henry and Ben Franklin both supported this group and their ideals.