Why were Loyalists held in such low regard and treated with abuse during the Revolutionary War?

Answer 1

Actually, during the American Revolution, Loyalists also would have considered the Rebels with low regard. Only the outcome of the war made the Loyalist cause the losing side
- hence the "bad guys".
Fighting between Loyalists and Rebels in South Carolina was particularly bitter.
We forget that not ALL American colonists wanted independence from Britain. A rough assessment might be that 1/3 were for rebellion, 1/3 preferred loyalty to Britain,
and 1/3 would have liked to be left out of it entirely.
The rebellion succeeded thanks in large measure to French military aid in naval forces which prevented Cornwallis' support at Yorktown and French land forces allied with the Continental army of Washington which besieged Yorktown.
Both sides - Loyalist and Rebel - 'abused' each other during the war. The Revolutionary War became particularly nasty in the southern colonies during 1780-1781.

Answer 2

The loyalists were held in low regard because the patriots viewed them as betraying the ideas of liberty that so many of them fought for. A lot of loyalists also joined the British Army so naturally the patriots wouldn't be very found of them.

Answer 3

Low Regard

Answer 4

They were viewed as being on the side of the King. The revolution was to be free from the King. So, revolutionists considered loyalists to be extensions of the King.

Answer 5

the loyalists were treated so badly cause they thought they could treat the British any kind of way and they also treated the colonists and patriot badly too so they returned the favor

Answer 6

They were loyal to a system that abused and over taxed the people who wanted to rule themselves and be free of the British yoke.