The revolutionary movement divided the colonies into Patriots and Loyalists. Loyalists were colonists loyal to the British, while the Patriots were in support of the American Revolution. The Patriots began boycotting goods imported from Great Britain, and substituting them with homemade goods and cheap inferior goods. The merchants in the colonies were frustrated and could not sell their goods. Both Britain and the merchants lost profits due to this change. The importation of British goods was later banned in the American colonies. Merchants were being forced to sign documents denying the importation of British goods. Merchants whom refused to sign these documents were sent to the gallows to be tarred and feathered. Additionally, Loyalists were coerced by the patriots into supporting the American Revolution or they would be lynched in the gallows. Some loyalists who refused ran away with their families to Great Britain for fear of being killed. Such actions of people in the colonies frustrated the British and led the revolutionary war.
