According to historical sources, approximately half of New Yorkers were loyalists and the other half were patriots; furthermore, approximately 23,000 New Yorkers served as loyalists alongside the British. Explain the important consequences of this statement.
The important consequences of this statement are that it demonstrates the divided loyalties of the people of New York during the American Revolution. This division of loyalties had a significant impact on the outcome of the war, as the British were able to rely on the support of a large number of New Yorkers. This support allowed the British to maintain a strong presence in the region, which in turn allowed them to launch successful campaigns against the Continental Army. Additionally, the presence of loyalists in New York meant that the Continental Army had to devote resources to defending the state, which could have been used elsewhere. Ultimately, this division of loyalties in New York had a major impact on the outcome of the American Revolution.
