Which term describes colonial supporters of Parliament during the conflict with Britain?

• A. Loyalists
• B. Patriots
• C. Whigs
• D. Tories

Answer: (A)

Loyalists are colonists who remained loyal to the British government, including Parliament, during the American Revolution. They believed Parliament had the right to govern the colonies and to tax and regulate imperial affairs, and they opposed breaking away from Britain. This group tended to favor stability, property rights, and a peaceful relationship with Britain, even as tensions with Parliament and the Crown grew. In contrast, Patriots sought independence, and terms like Whigs or Tories describe British political factions rather than the colonial stance; among colonists, the label Loyalists specifically captures those who stood with the imperial authority in Parliament.