Patriots were the colonists who wanted to separate from Englandto form an independent nation. Some of the issues they wereconcerned about were 1] paying high taxes to support a governmentabroad that they had no part in (and the making of laws they had nopart in since no colonist served in British Parliament) 2] payinghigher taxes than some of the other British colonies to basicallyfinance England's wars with France and other countries 3] (seeBenjamin Franklin's essay on this topic] British prisoners sent topopulate the colonies to ease prison overcrowding in England. 4]British control of American shipping/exporting -- ie: telling thecolonies what countries they could and could not trade with 5] therequirement that colonists, whenever asked (more like "told") hadto billet British troops who were in the colonies to keep the peace-- this means that with no notice, troops could arrive at acolonist's farm and demand food and shelter for an indefiniteperiod. . . sometimes even taking over the homestead as aheadquarters without repaying the owner.Women Patriots, though not likely to take up arms showed theirsupport of an independent and free America by boycotting Britishgoods and imports. They quit wearing the fashions from London andwore "homespun" -- dresses hand-made from fabrics like wool andcotton made in the colonies. Some families refused to buy tea. . .others boycotted sugar from British West Indies.Loyalists were those colonists who wanted to remain loyal toBritian and the King. A primary concern was that cutting ties tothe "mother country" could result in a disintegration of decentsociety. They feared that "democracy" meant the same thing as ruleby the mob and that many people (like immigrants from countriesthey didn't much care for or like poor and/or uneducated people)were not fit to make political decisions (or even to vote).Loyalists were also concerned that without England's protection,the colonies might not be able to militarily defend themselves andsome other nation might invade and take them over.