During the American Revolution, loyalists and patriots differed significantly in demographics, including factors such as geography, social status, and ethnicity:
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Geography: Loyalists were more concentrated in urban areas and regions like New York City, Charleston, and parts of the Southern colonies, while patriots were often found in rural areas and regions such as New England.
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Social Status: Loyalists tended to include wealthier individuals, such as merchants and landowners, who had more to lose under the revolutionary changes. In contrast, patriots often comprised a broader cross-section of society, including farmer-ranchers, artisans, and tradespeople who sought independence.
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Ethnicity and Religion: While both groups included a mix of backgrounds, loyalists were often aligned with loyalist sentiments among British officials and newly settled English individuals. Some religious groups, like Anglicans, predominantly supported the loyalist cause, while many congregationalists and others opposed British rule and were more likely to be patriots.
Overall, the demographics of loyalists tended to be characterized by higher social status and urban concentrations, whereas patriots represented a more varied social spectrum, especially in rural areas.