United Empire Loyalists

United Empire Loyalists, Canadian appellation of those British Loyalists, or Tories, who during and after the American Revolution fled the 13 colonies to settle in Canada. They are estimated to have numbered as many as 50,000. Many fled during the war to escape political persecution, and more fled after the war for material considerations, when their confiscated property was not restored by the new American government. The greatest number immigrated (1783-84) to Nova Scotia, easily accessible by sea, where their establishment of English laws and the English language led to the creation of New Brunswick in 1784. After the war, some Loyalists also fled to Upper Canada (now Ontario Province).