ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

United Empire Loyalist

Okay kiddo, let me explain what a United Empire Loyalist is. Back when America was just starting out as a country, not everyone was happy about it. Some people wanted to stay loyal to the British king and continue being a part of Britain. These people were called loyalists.

After the American Revolution, when the new United States of America was formed, many loyalists did not feel safe or welcomed anymore. They were afraid of what might happen to them because they had fought with the British or had supported them during the war.

So, some of these loyalists decided to leave the newly formed United States and move north to Canada. They were called “United Empire Loyalists” because they were loyal to the British Empire.

The United Empire Loyalists were brave and resilient. They had to leave behind their homes, their friends, and all that they knew to start again in a new country. They had to build new homes, find new jobs, and make new friends. They were a really important part of the early history of Canada, and they helped to shape the country we know today.

So, that’s what a United Empire Loyalist is, buddy. They were people who stayed loyal to Britain during the American Revolution and then moved north to Canada after the war because they feared for their safety. They helped build Canada and are an important part of its history.