Changes

A '''loyalist''' is one who pledges loyalty to a particular body, usually a [[political parties|political organization]], [[nation]] or leader.

A '''loyalist''' is one who pledges loyalty to the previous ruler during a civil war.  

In the [[United Kingdom]] the term "Loyalist" often refers to the majority [[Protestantism|Protestant]] population of [[Northern Ireland]] who pledge allegiance to the British Crown as opposed to the [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] minority who tend to favor unification with the [[Republic of Ireland]].  

In Britain today "Loyalist" refers to the Protestant (Presbyterian) elements of [[Northern Ireland]] who pledge allegiance to the British Crown as opposed to the Catholics who want more civil liberties.  

The term was also used for un-patriotic, anti-American people who remained loyal to the [[British Empire]] during the [[Revolutionary War]].  Their descendants, the [[United Empire Loyalists]] settled along the [[St. Lawrence River]] in what is now [[Ontario]].

In North America "Loyalist" denotes the colonists who remained loyal to King [[George III]] the [[British Empire]] during the [[American Revolution]]. British military strategy, especially in the South, involved arming them and using them to fight the Americans, which led to a bloody civil war. The Loyalists were defeated in every state. After the war, 80% remained as U.S. citizens and 20% removed to other parts of the Empire, especially New Brunswick.  In Canada they and their descendants are called [[United Empire Loyalists]].

* Van Tyne, Claude Halstead. ''The Loyalists in the American Revolution'' (1929) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=3030284 online edition]

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category:English History]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:Anglicans]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]