The main reason of the Patriots of the American Revolution was the patriotic sentiment, also known as the Spirit of 76. The Patriots considered that the heavy-hand policies and rules issued from Britain were co-opting their freedom and self-determination, thus, the rebellion to get independency was necessary.
On the other hand, Loyalists most likely were well-established merchants or elderly people who considered that Britain was the legitimate ruler and that independency could be postponed until the "right time".
