During the American Revolution, roughly one quarter of colonists did not want to separate from England. From their perspective, life in the English colonies of North America was relatively good. They believed in their rights as deeply as the most devoted Patriot, but rebelling against their king was a line they would not cross.

The debate over declaring the colonies’ independence from England was intense and emotional. Those who felt we should remain loyal to the King believed just as deeply as those who thought we must go our own way. There was no middle ground and Americans were forced by extremists to choose a side.