What distinguished american patriots and american loyalists? american patriots were second- or third-generation americans, while american loyalists were recent immigrants from britain. american patriots were rebels who wanted independence from britain, while american loyalists were loyal to the british crown. american patriots were those colonists who remained patriotic to the mother country, while american loyalists pledged loyalty to their new country. american patriots protested against the presence of british soldiers in their colonies, while american loyalists protested taxation without representation.