Which group was primarily responsible for supporting independence in the American colonies?

• A. Loyalists
• B. Minutemen
• C. Patriots
• D. Federalists

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is recognizing who drove the move toward independence in the colonies. Patriots were the group pushing to break away from Britain, organizing protests, forming alliances, and backing actions that led to the Declaration of Independence and the fight for a new nation. They believed the colonies should govern themselves and resist imperial control. Loyalists stayed loyal to the Crown, so they opposed independence; Minutemen were colonial militia who fought in the early battles but didn’t define the independence movement themselves; Federalists arose after independence to argued for a strong central government rather than leading the push for independence. Because Patriots led both the political argument and the military effort to sever ties with Britain, they are the best answer.